Clete Willems Appears on NPR to Preview G20 Summit Meeting

Akin Gump public law and policy partner Clete Willems appeared on the NPR program Morning Edition discussing the potential outcome of a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this weekend at the G20 summit.

Willems, a former top trade negotiator for the Trump administration, said the most likely outcome is that the two leaders will agree to restart trade talks and agree to refrain from further escalation. If the meeting goes well, Willems said, Mr. Trump could be willing to hold off on imposing additional tariffs.

With the Chinese economy not doing as well as it had been, Willems said Mr. Xi is under a lot of pressure at home. Any conditions he might bring to the meeting, Willems observed, could factor into the outcome. If, however, President Xi asks Mr. Trump to “show some flexibility,” Willems said, “then you can have a productive meeting.”

Willems also discussed whether President Trump can afford politically and economically to keep in place the tariffs already imposed. He said the important question to ask is whether we are in a position in the short term to “put up with some of the pains” for long-term gain.

To listen to the complete interview, please click here.