US tries to put pressure on China by saying deal could be reached next week - SCMP

Citing a closely-watched social media account that publishes updates on the U.S. - China trade negotiations, Taoran Notes, South China Morning Post reported that recent comments from U.S. officials about the trade talks possibly getting finalized at the end of next week's high-level meetings in Washington were a trick to increase tensions and generate pressure on China.

“It’s the same tactic as the US threatening to raise tariffs, it is merely smoke and mirrors to exert extreme pressure [on China],” the post said. “You don’t have to take it seriously,” pointed out SCMP's Cissy Zhou and Zhou Xin.

Yesterday, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters that President Trump and his counterpart Xi could decide to have a meeting next week to conclude a deal.