Donald Trump’s tariff threats complicate US-China trade talks

Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats against Chinese exports have complicated efforts by US negotiators to finalise agricultural and energy deals ahead of a third round of high-level trade talks scheduled for Saturday, according to three people briefed on the negotiations. They added that if the preparatory talks did not go well, weekend talks in Beijing between US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross and vice-premier Liu He could be cancelled. Chinese officials and analysts, however, remain cautiously optimistic that Mr Trump’s threats are politically inspired bluster that will not derail a larger trade deal between the world’s two largest economies.They said Mr Trump’s surprise statement was consistent with his tendency to create uncertainty and pressure during business and political negotiations. It also fits with his general “America First” agenda that he promised voters would define his presidency.“Trump is unpredictable, but also predictable,” one Chinese official said. “He has been a protectionist his whole life.” China’s commerce ministry issued a statement giving Beijing’s first official response to Mr Trump’s threat, saying it was “unexpected but also not a surprise”.