It seems most likely that the negotiations over the next 90 days will fail, just as previous negotiation attempts have.

The trade ceasefire is only a temporary respite. China is unlikely to concede to America’s major demands.

Kicking the can only a short distance down the road still means that Beijing and Washington will be faced with a moment of truth.

Beijing has agreed to many concessions but Trump has merely given up very little.

Fresh talks to be launched, while the U.S. delays plans to raise tariffs on Chinese goods starting Jan. 1

At a time of ever-escalating threats and counter-threats, the imperative of compromise cannot be understated. The upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi provides an opportunity to reframe the conflict as a strategic challenge for the world’s two leading economies.

The inaugural International Import Expo is viewed as an opportunity to promote policies that could reduce China’s trade surplus, but this is not guaranteed.

Xi and Trump’s positions remain so far apart that the prospects of a breakthrough are dim.

Should U.S.-China trade tensions continue, and Japan and the PRC put effort into improving ties, American economic competitiveness with Japan for the China market could be harmed.

Whatever costs the US incurs from trade with China are vastly outweighed by the benefits. If Trump wants to sacrifice those benefits in a trade war, so much the better for China.