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Debate between @trish_regan and @thepointwithlx is underway—and it is awkward. The phone line is scrambled as Regan starts by introducing Liu as a member of the Chinese Communist Party; Liu then denies she is a member of the CCP. 1/
Regan asks about intellectual property theft. Liu counters that property theft happens in many countries, including in the United States. Now discussing Huawei. 2/
So far, this is less of a debate than Regan asking Liu questions about the Chinese economy. Liu now defending China's status as a developing country, saying China wants to grow. "We want to grow up." /3
Now, tariffs. Regan and Liu agreeing that abolishing tariffs would be great! But, Liu says, if you want to change the rules, it has to be done by mutual consensus, multilateralism. Interested to see if Regan counters or moves on to next questions. Not a lot of back and forth. /4
Regan asks Liu to define "state capitalism." Liu, predictably, says "Socialism with Chinese characteristics," noting that market plays decisive role. Will Regan press back on forcefully on this point? /5
Regan says, I hope you can keep being open....and then closes with a classic Chinese line about win-win. WOMP. WOMP. /6
In sum: Not much of a showdown! Questions were pro-forma, answers polite. Would have loved to see Liu push Regan on Trump's unilateral approach to trade, or see Regan press Liu on something like Xinjiang and the economy. Was left wondering if these questions were pre-negotiated?
Final thought: would love to see these two debate in a less formal, polite context.
