**US-China Trade Agreement: A Step Backwards or Just a Truce?**

Despite recent negotiations aimed at reducing tariffs, analysts argue that the agreement merely reverts to a pre-trade war status without substantial progress.

After two days of negotiations, the United States and China have reached a tentative agreement aimed at de-escalating the trade tensions that have escalated in recent months. Announced during early hours in London, both nations have pledged to retract some of the damaging economic measures imposed on each other. However, uncertainty looms over the durability of this truce, reminiscent of an earlier agreement that quickly collapsed in May.

Myron Brilliant, a senior counselor at DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group and former U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, remarked on the repetitive nature of the discussions, highlighting a cycle of escalation followed by de-escalation without any significant advancements: "It seems like we’re negotiating in circles. You escalate, you de-escalate; at the end of the day we’re not really further along."

From this recent round of talks, tariffs are expected to remain at their current levels, with an emphasis on reverting some aggressive policies previously established. Notably, China is anticipated to ease restrictions on mineral exports crucial for numerous American manufacturers, while the United States will relax its newly imposed limits on technology exports. Furthermore, the US has signaled a retreat from the potential cancellation of visas for Chinese students, bolstering academic exchanges that had come under threat.

This latest agreement has prompted mixed reactions from experts and observers, who are left questioning the actual benefits derived from the United States' aggressive trade policies over the past several months. With both countries seemingly backtracking to a state of affairs that existed months ago, many are left pondering the effectiveness and consequences of prior tactics employed during this ongoing economic saga.