Also: Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). These are not "deals".
I used to be senior in the Australian Trade Commission. If we were meeting senior officials from another country and had nothing concrete to announce — as in actual deals — we'd make up some MOUs. They're the peanut butter sandwich of international relations — anyone can whip one up.
The use of "already" at the end of the headline above really gets me. As in: Prepare for more fantastic news of more amazing deals as our most glorious leader continues his most extraordinary overseas jaunt.
What a beat up! On the front page!
