Xi meets Donald: Is it a match?

A meeting that was hugely anticipated: The president of China Xi Jin Ping was received by The US president Donald trump in the US.

This was a big deal because the 2 represented the 2 largest economies in the world. But it was more of a big deal due to Trump’s harsh rhetoric against China during and after his campaign trail: Did the 2 hammer out a deal which would accommodate both their economies? As the saying goes, its complicated, but one thing is for sure: unlike what the media described as a positive reception, the 2 countries may be heading on a collision course in the near future, with massive repercussions for both countries and the entire world.

In order to understand the economic power and value that the US and China have on the world stage, it’s worth taking a look at their trade in volume and value along with their trading partners. First the US: Here are the US’s top trading partners when it comes to imports and exports, for 2016. Notice China there, in which US exports are at a little over $100 billion dollars, while the imports are much higher: over 460 billion dollars, one of the gripes that Trump has with China. Why is that significant? Just compare that to the other countries like Canada and Mexico. Interestingly, Trump has a problem with the U, China and Mexico when it comes to either trade or economic practices.

When it comes to the trade problems between the 2 nations, Trump has not held back how he thinks China is benefiting and/or taking advantage of the US. Trade deals, Trade deficit, Currency manipulation, and the loss of jobs are just some of the areas that Trump believes has tuned out in China’s favor.

What about the meeting between Trump and Xi: were there any results on trade and other areas? Not really, except what came days out after the meeting: A 100-day plan on trade Issues, proposed by China.

China played its cards and gave some concessions to the US, or were they concessions? Like the resumption of US beef imports, the purchase of natural gas, and infrastructure investment, surprised at this one? and finally the lifting of investment restrictions in insurance and securities. But what does china want in return?

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