Expert opinion by M. Medvedkov for Interfax (20.01.2020)

Maxim Y. Medvedkov, head of the HSE Department of Trade Policy, gave an expert opinion on the trade agreement between China and the United States signed by the countries on January 15, 2020.

According to Professor Medvedkov, the concluded trade and economic agreement does not seem to be “a peaceful agreement to end the trade war”, it rather looks like a "temporary truce agreement".

Medvedkov notes that in accordance with the agreement, the US does not cancel additional duties on Chinese exports, but only reduces their level, and with respect to only part of the trade. In addition, China committed to take serious changes in its trade and regulatory policies in various areas, but the changes will not affect the most sensitive areas for the United States, such as subsidies and regulation of state-owned enterprises.

At the same time, Professor Medvedkov highlights the parts of the agreement related to the commitments made by China to increase imports of the US goods by 200 billion US dollars in the next two years. The expert also analyzes the impact of this agreement on prospects of trade and economic relations between China and Russia.

More detailed: https://www.interfax.ru/business/691913