China trade war goes unmentioned in Democratic debate

Bernie Sanders’ passing criticism of Joe Biden for his support of free trade during the Democratic debate Tuesday night was the only reference to China trade, despite the Trump administration’s current pursuit of a trade deal with Beijing.

The moderators did not ask a trade question. And no candidate during the debate specifically referred to the Trump administration’s attempt to broker a deal with Beijing, even in the context of the Hong Kong protests or the economic turmoil caused by the tariffs the administration has placed on China. The Congressional Budget Office said in August that the tariffs had become a drag on economic growth and could cost families more than $500 a year.