US President Donald Trump said yesterday, “we’re in the final throes of a very important deal”. He hailed again that it’s “one of the most important deals in trade ever” and “it’s going very well. But, “at the same time we want to see it go well in Hong Kong”. He added, “I think that President Xi can make that happen. I know him and I know he’d like to make it happen”, without elaboration.

For now, it’s unsure when Trump will sign the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. The bill was for backing Hongkonger’s defense of its autonomy, and was passed by both Senate and House last week nearly unanimously. China has warned by retaliation if Trump signs it into law.

Separately, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said US and China were “getting really close” on the phase one trade deal. And the US will “continue to negotiate”. She added, “those forced tech transfers, the theft of intellectual property, the trade imbalance of a half a trillion a year with the world’s second largest economy, China – this makes no sense to people.”

A phone call was held between US and China top trade negotiators this morning. Accord to statement of China’s Ministry of Commerce: “Both sides discussed resolving core issues of common concern, reached consensus on how to resolve related problems and agreed to stay in contact over remaining issues for a phase one agreement”.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin participated in the call. Also, joined were Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, People’s Bank of China Governor Yi Gang and Ning Jizhe, vice chairman of China’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission.

Yet, after another phone calls, there is no concrete news regarding the phase one trade deal. It’s reported that farm purchases and tariff rollbacks are currently the two sticky issues. It looks like officials from both sides are still targeting to complete the phase one by the end of the year. But negotiations could eventually drag on to next year.

The Global Times, China’s hawkish tabloid run by the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, said in a tweet that US and China are “very close” to the phase one trade deal. China “remains committed to continuing talks for a phase two or even a phase three deal”with US “on equal footing”.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang also reiterated that China hopes to work with US on a basis of equality and mutual respect on the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations.

The comments came after Reuters reported that some Chinese and US officials believed the ambitious “phase two” trade deal is looking less likely as the two countries struggle to strike a preliminary agreement.

There are increasing speculations that the completion of the phase one US-China trade deal would slide into next year. China is said to be refraining concrete commitment on farm purchases, while pushing for more extensive tariffs rollbacks. At the same time, tensions between the two countries increased due to unrest in Hong Kong.

US national security adviser Robert O’Brien said over the weekend “We were hoping to have [a phase one] deal done by the end of the year. I still think that’s possible”. Though, he also emphasized, “at the same time, we’re not going to turn a blind eye to what’s happening in Hong Kong or what’s happening in the South China Sea, or other areas of the world where we’re concerned about China’s activity.”

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the “ambitious” phase two deal looks increasing less likely for now. An unnamed Chinese office was quoted saying that “It’s Trump who wants to sign these deals, not us. We can wait.” China might want to drag on with phase two negotiations to see if Trump could win a second term in next year’s election.