The deals that Sobotka didn't seal in China
After Andrej Babiš read our Final Word last week about Angela Merkel declaring her support for Market Economy Status for China, he stated unequivocally on Twitter that he opposes awarding Beijing the status. This would threaten the three steelmakers in the Ostrava region, he said. A whimpering Bohuslav Sobotka then said from China that the CR will act in conjunction with the other EU members in terms of Market Economy Status, which is akin to supporting both Leave and Remain in the Brexit vote. Sobotka's noncommittal response must have sorely disappointed his Chinese hosts. Sobotka added to their chagrin by dropping plans to sign a memorandum between ČSSD and the Chinese Communist Party. (Click here for the draft document, and note the planned signing date of June 16.) The Chinese know what they want and go after it with a vengeance. They have now seen first-hand what a wishy-washy Czech politician looks like.
Glossary of difficult words
to seal (a deal) - to conclude, establish, or secure (something) definitively;Market Economy Status - a status within the World Trade Organization granting greater protection in the event of anti-dumping procedures;
unequivocally - leaving no doubt; unambiguously;
to whimper - to make a series of low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or unhappiness;
akin - of similar character;
noncommittal - not expressing or revealing commitment to a definite opinion or course of action;
chagrin - annoyance or distress at having failed or been humiliated;
with a vengeance - used to emphasize the degree to which something occurs or is true;
wishy-washy - feeble or insipid in quality or character.