Photo taken on Dec. 13, 2019 shows a press conference held by the State Council Information Office of China on the progress in China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. 9. CHINA, U.S. AGREE ON TEXT OF PHASE ONE TRADE DEAL The economic and trade consultations between China and the United States had suffered major setbacks this year, with the U.S. side imposing rounds of additional tariffs on Chinese products which met firm opposition and forced countermeasures from the Chinese side. On Dec. 13, the Chinese side announced that the two countries had reached agreement on the text of the phase one economic and trade deal on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The deal is expected to benefit the two countries and the whole world. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)