James Zimmerman was quoted in the Asia Times article, "Mixed Reviews for US-China Partial Trade Deal," regarding his thoughts on the U.S.-China “first phase” trade deal.

James, former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, believes the Trump administration misjudged Beijing’s ability to withstand tariffs and brands the White House’s approach to trade diplomacy “wholly ineffective.”

“This phase one deal is an admission of a failed trade diplomacy strategy. The harm to the American economy during the trade war will never be offset by agricultural purchases, which would have been made without the trade war,” he said. “More progress would have been achieved by seeking to engage China and coaxing Beijing to continue down a path of reform.”