Uighur Bill could affect US China Trade Deal

Trade deal between China and United States (US) could be in hot waters as President Trump has raised fresh doubts.

British Media reported that Trump’s recent comments about the Trade deal with China might have to wait until late 2020 raised fresh doubts on when the dispute might end.

Trump told reporters in London, “In some ways, I like the idea of waiting until after the election for the China deal.”

He continued, “But they want to make a deal now, and we’ll see whether or not the deal’s going to be right.”

Trump’s comments triggered a sharp fall in stocks and a flight to government bonds.

On the other hand, U.S. House bill targeting camps for Muslims in Xinjiang drew Beijing’s ire.

The U.S. approval of a bill requiring the Trump administration to toughen its response to China’s crackdown on Uighur Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang could deal another setback to the trade negotiations.

UIGHUR BILL

The Uighur bill, which was passed 407-1 in the Democratic-controlled House, requires the U.S. president to condemn abuses against Muslims and call for the closure of mass detention camps in Xinjiang.

It calls on Trump to impose sanctions for the first time on a member of China’s powerful politburo, Xinjiang Communist Party Secretary Chen Quanguo.

CHINA’S REACTION

US blacklists 28 Chinese companies

Negotiators for both countries have continued to work on a so-called phase one trade deal.

The Uighur bill still has to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate before being sent to Trump.

The White House has yet to say whether Trump would sign or veto the bill, which contains a provision allowing the president to waive sanctions if he determines that to be in the national interest.