After almost two years of President Trump being in office, China is still uncertain on who speaks for the U.S. on trade matters. Cui Tiankai, the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, asked “who is playing what role?” in an interview on Sunday.

When speaking to Fox News Sunday over the weekend, Tiankai was asked who in the current administration is the most reliable spokesperson on trade. The Ambassador replied with a simple “you tell me,” continuing to say that “honestly, I’ve been talking to other Ambassadors in Washington D.C. [and] this is also part of their problem.”

The Chinese diplomat believes that there is even confusion within the White House, telling Fox that “They don’t know who is the final decision maker. Of course, presumably, the President would take the final decision. But who is playing what role? Sometimes it could be very confusing.”

Investors Who Follow the News May Echo China Sentiments

There will be many in America who relate to what Cui Tiankai is saying. Almost everyone of importance has chimed in on the trade situation, ranging from President Trump himself and Vice President Mike Pence, to officials like Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Investors who have been following the tense trade situation will likely have similar questions, wondering who exactly speaks for the U.S. on trade policy.

Traditionally, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has handled trade negotiations first-hand. Initially, this was how it worked under President Trump, but early dialogues broke down, which has led to today’s situation.

Steven Lighthizer, the current U.S. Trade Representative, has seemingly taken a hands-off and backseat role on trade negotiations. With traditional communications channels apparently not being followed, it is not overly surprising that the Chinese Ambassador has made a statement like this over the weekend.

Larry Kudlow, the Director of the National Economic Council, is another player who has made public statements on trade, which adds to the confusion.

White House Says Lighthizer is the Key Negotiator

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, spokeswoman for the White House, reiterated during the weekend that Trump is the final decision maker, and stated that Lighthizer is the “lead negotiator” on trade.

China and the United States remain in a bitter trade standoff with billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs applied by both sides this year. With President Trump all but finalizing a new NAFTA deal with Mexico and Canada, China remains the last key frontier for the administration’s international trade policy.

China/U.S. trade will likely come into focus again after the mid-term elections. The President has so far had success with European and North American partners on trade, and the administration will no doubt be eager to find a solution to the ongoing, costly, and time intensive problem.