China's Xi wants US trade deal but can 'fight back'
https://www.dw.com/en/chinas-xi-wants-us-trade-deal-but-can-fight-back/a-51362190
China's Xi wants US trade deal but can 'fight back'
Date 22.11.2019
Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China holds a "positive attitude" toward trade talks with the US, but would "fight" to get the best terms.
"As we always said we don't want to start the trade war but we are not afraid," Xi said, responding to questions from representatives of the New Economy Forum, held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
"When necessary we will fight back but we have been working actively to try not to have a trade war," he said. He added that the nation was working towards a "phase one agreement on the basis of mutual respect and equality."
(snip)
The two superpowers were hoping to agree a "phase one" deal, announced by Trump on October 11, but since then progress has again stalled with no written text being finalized.
Phase one was supposed to be a mini-agreement to resolve disagreements over intellectual property as well as agricultural trade.
Top negotiators from the US had a "constructive" conversation with their Chinese counterparts on Saturday over the preliminary deal.
However, on Wednesday Trump stated "I can tell you this. China would much rather make a trade deal than I would," and added, "I don't think they're stepping up to the level I want."
(snip)