I think stepping up ag purchases while railroading the HK NSL is the CCP trying to suss out to what extent they can buy their way out of this predicament. Read in this context, Trump signing the Uighur rights bill he next day looks like confirmation that the admin will not unlink trade and human rights issues. The reasoning for this is probably tactical rather than principled, but it’s bad news for Beijing either way.

Also, this “reciprocity” concept is popping up more and more in US statements. I think it is transforming from a buzzword to an actual durable policy, but I’ll leave that analysis to people smarter than myself.