US would benefit from taking less-is-more approach to talks

Reports suggesting Vice-Premier Liu He, head of the Chinese delegation to the ongoing trade talks with the United States on Thursday and Friday, will leave Washington earlier than planned have fueled pessimism over the outcome of the negotiations. This shows how eagerly the world awaits the two largest economies laying their frictions to rest.

Although the White House on Wednesday said it had no knowledge of Liu departing ahead of schedule, the pessimism is still justified.

Given Washington's relentless interference in China's internal affairs in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Beijing has enough reasons to believe that Washington is not engaging in the talks in the spirit of give and take but rather in the hope that its pressure will squeeze out some forced concessions.