CHINA/INDIA/TRADE DEALS/TRADE WAR/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Call it the art of the mini-deal. The Trump administration is on the cusp of announcing a new trade deal with India, potentially within the next week as President Trump prepares to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. It should be a proud moment for Mr. Trump, who is eager to announce new markets for American farmers and manufacturers who have been badly hit by his trade war with China. But unlike traditional trade pacts, which cover nearly all sectors of the economy, the India deal appears likely to be confined to only a few sectors and products. Mini-deals are becoming something of a trend for Mr. Trump ahead of the 2020 election. In addition to India, he is expected to soon announce a limited trade agreement with Japan. While smaller deals may prove easier to win than comprehensive agreements, they are raising concerns among some lawmakers and businesses about the precedent Mr. Trump is setting by striking limited pacts that could leave significant issues unresolved.”
–Ana Swanson and Vindu Goel, “With India, Trump Practices the Art of the Mini-Deal,” The New York Times online, September 20, 2019