Pence Says Administration Doesn't Want Decoupling From China
Vice President Mike Pence, even as he called China "a strategic and economic rival," said that the U.S. wants to keep talking after the phase 1 trade deal is done, in order "to bring about long-overdue structural reforms in our economic relationship. And as I heard again from him this morning, President Trump remains optimistic that an agreement can be reached."
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Pence, who gave a speech Oct. 24, noted criticism from "some multinational corporations." He said they "say our economic policies are too tough and that advancing our interests and our values runs contrary to better relations with China.
"Needless to say, we see it very differently."
But he said America doesn't at all seek decoupling from China's economy. "The United States seeks engagement with China and China’s engagement with the wider world, but engagement in a manner consistent with fairness, mutual respect, and the international rules of commerce."
China reacted Oct. 15, saying, "We urge the US to proceed from the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, respect the facts, correct mistakes, stop publishing irresponsible remarks, stop the practice of damaging relations between the two countries and mutual trust and cooperation, and earnestly follow the consensus established by the two heads of state.”