My reading is that Juncker knew Trump's ego would require at least some sort of symbolic big win. So he fed in some stuff that was probably going to happen anyway.

Increased purchases of US Soybeans plays well with Trumps rural constituencies, but would have to happen anyway as China has cancelled US soybean purchases and will be hoovering up supplies elsewhere.

Increased purchases of US LNS is probably necessary until more Russian gas pipelines become operative and feeds into Trump's agenda to force Germany and the EU to be more dependent on the US rather than Russia.

The big win for Juncker is no further EU/US Tariff wars which had the potential to harm EU exports (and trade surplus) and destabilise the world economy. The psychology of appearing to be on the same side is important.

EU retaliatory tariffs have been cleverly targetted at Trumps Republican base and are causing him domestic grief from people who matter. "Reassessing" them is a win win. Everybody wants to "reform" the WTO and everybody knows it won't happen.

The main thing is that Trump's ego has been fed - for now. The practical details are relatively unimportant. Ask Kim.

Index of Frank's Diaries

import/export dumping

Brazil to pass U.S. as world's largest soy producer in 2018

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

China's June soy imports jump ahead of tariffs on U.S. shipments
the spread

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

Higher U.S. soy imports won't harm EU farmers: German minister

Europe had previously relied on soy imports from South America, but would now shift its demand to U.S. suppliers, she told the paper.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

10 Downing Street?

US, EU Trade Officials Split Over Agriculture in Trade Talks

"when you read the joint statement ... you will see no mention of agriculture as such, you will see a mention of farmers and a mention of soybeans, which are part of the discussions and we will follow up that." [EC spokeswoman Mina Andreeva] added, "We are not negotiating about agricultural products."

"aggressive in their agreements"

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

On third-countries
How BRICS Plus clashes with the US economic war on Iran

Once again, BRICS Plus is all about constituting a "unified platform of regional integration arrangements," going way beyond regional deals to reach other developing nations in a transcontinental scope.

This means a platform integrating the African Union (AU), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as well as the South Asian Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

a promise from the descendants of the Medes
General Soleimani to Trump: Stop threatening Iran with your 'cabaret-style rhetoric'

"You may begin the war, but it is us who will end it."

that I do not doubt.

The Europe's descendants are more likely to respond to highly prized, increasingly unreliable AMZN delivery with 24-hour boycotts and by killing their families than enlisting in the armed forces of the homeland. So sayeth the laws of the rational, self-interested actor.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.