With Iraqs WMDs stories the officials, not the reporters, lied. Also there were quite a few stories, backed by anonymous sources from the intelligence apparatus who were very critical about the official line and the pressure that they were put under to produce corroborating evidence.

I am not saying the reporters lied, however they were relying on "anonymous sources", just like they do here and the sources had an agenda.

Could be the case here as well. Might not be, but there certainly would be a motive for it, (trade war).