An upgraded trade accord announced by China and Switzerland in August would give 99.8 percent of Swiss exports duty-free access to China. Reuters reported Friday that Xi Jinping and Swiss President Guy Parmelin were due to sign it that day. Previously, just over half enjoyed that access. Three Western diplomats told Reuters they see Beijing using the deal to polish its free-trade credentials as the Trump administration retreats from multilateralism.

China gets to pose as the reassuring advocate of open markets.

Well, that's a hell of a communications achievement for Washington. You've made the leader of the Chinese Communist Party look like the man patiently explaining that international commerce needn't involve hitting the customer with a chair.

Not because this agreement makes China universally open. It doesn't. It's a particular deal with a particular country. But photographs don't come with a doctoral dissertation attached. One president gets to stand beside a lowered trade barrier. The American administration gets to explain why its barriers are character-building.

Who handed Beijing this assignment? WHO? Did the White House leave the FREE TRADE podium unattended with the microphone on and a little bowl of complimentary mints?

XI DOESN'T HAVE TO STEAL THE SPEECH IF YOU'VE LEFT IT ON THE LECTERN.

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Switzerland previously faced 39 percent U.S. tariffs; a provisional deal last November reduced those to 15 percent. Fifteen, not zero. Washington's improved offer still involves charging admission while Beijing gets to advertise an open door.

I need to sit through this press conference quietly. No, I don't think a trade agreement is a certificate of benevolence. I think it's embarrassing to make your rival's sales pitch this easy.

And then the Swiss government supplies the really maddening detail: the accord gives Chinese industrial goods no new tariff benefits. China is largely reciprocating access Switzerland already grants China.

So Beijing is collecting diplomatic credit for opening its side of a door the Swiss had already opened on theirs.

DO WE NEED A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY FOR RECIPROCITY NOW? A commemorative shovel? Somebody solemnly declaring that, after extensive negotiations, trade may travel in both directions?

U.S. officials sought discussions, according to Reuters' sources. Switzerland says no specific concerns were raised and expects no effect on its goods trade with other partners. This isn't proof of a Chinese back door into America.

It's a front door into a photo opportunity. Washington has been very helpful with the lighting.