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Embargo BROKEN: China issues White Paper, lays position in US-China trade dispute. 10AM Sunday presser @CBSNews is at. Of note: China says US claims of IP theft unfounded, trade war has not made America great again, US “bullying” harms world, US backtracked on econ, trade talks. 
Mr. Wang Shouwen (right), Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy China International Trade Representative, outlines China’s position from the White Paper right now.
China’s White Paper outlines 4 reasons the trade was has NOT ‘made America great again:’ tariffs have raised production costs for US firms, hiked prices for US consumers, could lead to lower US GDP growth by 0.3-0.5%, has led to fewer US exports to China. Midwest hit hard...
China lays the “backtrack” blame firmly on the US (see photo), says it’s backtracked 3 times since March 2018 from econ, trade consults: March 2018 report on IP theft and IP transfer; March 2018 tearing up of consensus to refrain from trade war; May 2019 additional US tariffs
White Paper ends with words we’ve heard China use before in this trade war: “respect, equality, good faith, trust, cooperation, dialogue, common ground, goodwill” but tempered with a staunch note it won’t be cowed: “China’s door will not be closed, it will only open even wider.”
That State Council presser was just under 1 hour. Back to the east, passing Tian’anmen Square. The 30th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown 2 days away. Via @Reuters: China’s Defense Minister Wei Fenghe in Singapore today actually *acknowledged it saying was the “correct” decision.
And some behind-the-scenes snaps for color from my first-ever State Council presser. 1. Both Chinese and English versions of White Paper passed out. 2. Briefing Hall plaque outside. 3. Scrum of journalists with White Papers 4. Camera and journos waiting for presser to start. #fun
