The problem with “kicking the can down the road” is that the road is leading directly toward the upcoming US presidential election cycle – a time when the debate over China always intensifies. Add to that a polarized and dysfunctional Congress, and the timeframe for concluding a US-China investment treaty is beginning to appear eerily reminiscent of the decade-long process that was required for Chinese accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001.
“扫除障碍”的问题在于美国即将进入总统选举周期——每逢此时，关于中国的争议就会激烈起来。此外，美国国会呈现出两极分化和功能失调，而完成中美贸易条约的时间表也开始让人想起，中国被接纳为世贸组织成员也经历了长达十年的谈判，直到2001年才成功。这对于双方都不利，因为两国现在都面临着紧迫的经济挑战。