While Chinese purchases of US products accelerated recently, analysts say weak energy prices and worsening relations means Beijing may undershoot its full-year goal in the Phase 1 deal agreed in January.
China bought only 5% of the targeted US$25.3 billion ($34.8 billion) in energy products from the United States in the first half of 2020, falling well short of its trade deal commitments at a time when relations between the two top economies are already sour.
China’s imports of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), metallurgical coal and other energy products totalled around US$1.29 billion this year through June, according to Reuters calculations based on China customs data.
