Welcome to Xi Jinping’s version of the Art of the Deal. Can he now close it?
It was hardly an omission that Xi didn’t mention the US or its President by name as he boasted China is entering a “new phase of opening up”.
Instead, the Chinese leader’s much awaited, much scripted speech to the Boao Forum for Asia stressed the benefits to China and to the world from his announcement he will extend and accelerate China’s 40-year progress in economic reform.
This includes commitments that answer some of Donald Trump’s most pointed criticisms of China – such as promising “significantly lower” import tariffs on cars this year, much greater protection of intellectual property rights and easing restrictions on financial services companies seeking to do business in China.
…By coincidence, Xi’s statesmanlike address coincided with Trump’s obvious fury over the FBI raiding the offices of his personal lawyer, looking among other things for details of payments to former porn actress, Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with the President.
