As far as declaring that China is not a currency manipulator, I’m sure that is part of the deal with Xi to deal with North Korea.
So the deal stunk.
Exactly!
By calling China a currency manipulator, Trump created a bargaining chip out of thin air. Then, it seems, he cashed it in, in return for China’s cooperation on N. Korea (or, at least their passive acquiescence to any future U.S. actions — which is also a big deal).