The ‘ big beautiful monster ’ Phase One trade deal between the United States and China may end up being truly beautiful for U.S. exports on paper only—at least as far as energy is concerned. Analysts have largely concurred that the Chinese promise to buy additional US$52.4 billion worth of U.S. energy products in 2020 and 2021 on top of the 2017 levels of Chinese energy imports is most likely unachievable, even if China intends to fulfill all its pledges in the deal. Just read the fine print in the phase-one deal, which could undermine the promise of a U.S. energy export boom to China. “ The Parties acknowledge that purchases will be made at market prices based on commercial considerations and that market conditions, particularly in the case of agricultural goods, may dictate the timing of purchases within any given year ,” the trade deal reads . At […]