An American Buyer Is Negotiating with a British Supplier for the Purchase

An American buyer is negotiating with a British supplier for the purchase of raw materials for production of heavy machinery in the U.S. Before exchanging any information pertaining to the business of the meeting, he spends a few minutes talking to the British negotiator on topics such as World Cup soccer, the recently concluded general elections, and the fickle English weather. The American buyer is engaging in:

A) persuasion.
B) nontask sounding.
C) setting an agenda.
D) assessment of business terms.
E) appraisal of current affairs.