Thinking About ChinaOpinionThe US–China Phase One Fake OutThe first phase of new trade relations has been tentatively agreed to, but how effective will it really be?00CopyFacebookXTruthGettrLinkedInTelegramEmailSavePrintU.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping shake hands during a business leaders event at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017. Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesJames Gorrie12/18/2019|Updated: 12/18/2019CommentaryIs the “phase one” of the trade deal a new beginning in relations between Washington and Beijing?We had a problem loading this article. Please enable javascript or use a different browser. If the issue persists, please visit our help center.Share this articleLeave a commentJames GorrieAuthorJames Gorrie is the author of the 2013 book “The China Crisis” and discusses current events and China on his YouTube Podcast, The Banana Republican. Author’s Selected ArticlesHow Tariffs Could Boost the US Economy and Fix the Trade Imbalance With ChinaDec 04, 2025America’s Thanksgiving Holiday ... in China?Nov 26, 2025The China EffectNov 25, 2025Beijing Targets Japan to Undermine Taiwan’s ResolveNov 21, 2025Related Topicsu.s-china trade warstructural changesphase one trade deal