Chinese government issues vague statement about that 90-day trade talk deadline
Source: NBC News
"Beijing must keep the fish on the hook by giving the Trump administration reason to believe progress is within reach," said a top China analyst.
Dec. 5, 2018 / 3:10 PM EST
By Anna Schecter
China's Commerce Ministry released a statement Wednesday calling trade talks between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump at the G-20 Summit in Argentina "very successful" — but empty of promises and vague on the 90-day deadline for negotiations touted by the Trump administration.
The statement said the Chinese and U.S. trade and economic delegations will "actively advance the work of consultation" in 90 days in accord with "a clear timetable" and "road map" without providing more information on the map or timetable.
A top China analyst called the statement an attempt by Beijing to "calm the waters," following a stock market drop in reaction to confusion about what really was agreed upon at the Trump-Xi meeting.
Robert Daly, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the U.S. at the Wilson Center, says China's primary motive is to draw out consultations with the U.S. for as long as it can, and beyond 90 days if possible. "To do so, Beijing must keep the fish on the hook by giving the Trump administration reason to believe progress is within reach," Daly said, referring to Wednesday's statement.
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/chinese-government-issues-vague-statement-about-90-day-trade-talk-n944381?cid=public-rss_20181205
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Oh what a fool the stable genius is! 
