US President Donald Trump said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-g20-meeting-with-xi-trump-says-billions-of-dollar-pouring-into-us-due-to-tariffs-on-china-180279">Thursday a trade deal with Beijing</a> was "close" but added he might prefer not to reach one, cooling hopes for a breakthrough at a summit this week.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet during the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, which begins Friday.

"I think we are very close to doing something with China but I don't know that I want to do it," Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for Buenos Aires.

Trump has slapped punishing tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese imports so far this year, demanding that Beijing end allegedly unfair trade practices and reverse industrial policies criticized by other major economies.

US officials in recent days have also renewed their criticism of Beijing in advance of the Xi-Trump meeting.

Markets are hoping a deal can be reached before the end of the year, when US duty rates are due to increase significantly.

Trump on Thursday also reiterated that US tariffs were generating tax revenues: "What we have right now is billions and billions of dollars coming into the United States in the form of taxes," he said.

Economists and critics of the president's trade policies point out duties are paid by importers and thus constitute a tax on US industry and consumers that is not paid by China.

Trump also said he believed Beijing was hoping to strike a deal.

"I think China wants to make a deal. I am open to making a deal but frankly I like the deal that we have right now," he said.

Wall Street extended early losses following Trump's remarks, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.6 per cent lower shortly after 1600 GMT. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said Thursday a trade deal with Beijing was "close" but added he might prefer not to reach one, cooling hopes for a breakthrough at a summit this week.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday a trade deal with Beijing was "close" but added he might prefer not to reach one, cooling hopes for a breakthrough at a summit this week. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are due to meet during the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, which begins Friday. "I think we are very close to doing something with China but I don't know that I want to do it," Trump told reporters at the White House before departing for Buenos Aires. Trump has slapped punishing tariffs on more than $250 billion in Chinese imports so far this year, demanding that Beijing end allegedly unfair trade practices and reverse industrial policies criticized by other major economies. US officials in recent days have also renewed their criticism of Beijing in advance of the Xi-Trump meeting. Markets are hoping a deal can be reached before the end of the year, when US duty rates are due to increase significantly. Trump on Thursday also reiterated that US tariffs were generating tax revenues: "What we have right now is billions and billions of dollars coming into the United States in the form of taxes," he said. Economists and critics of the president's trade policies point out duties are paid by importers and thus constitute a tax on US industry and consumers that is not paid by China. Trump also said he believed Beijing was hoping to strike a deal. "I think China wants to make a deal. I am open to making a deal but frankly I like the deal that we have right now," he said. Wall Street extended early losses following Trump's remarks, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.6 per cent lower shortly after 1600 GMT.

Close to doing deal with China but I don't know I want to do it, says Trump ahead of meeting with Xi

Ahead of the crucial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-under-no-pressure-to-make-trade-deal-with-china-says-trump-165480">G20 meeting with President Xi</a> on Saturday, President tweeted today asserting that billons were pouring into US coffers because of tariffs being charged to China.

"If companies don’t want to pay tariffs, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-deal-could-cost-europe-frances-economy-minister-bruno-le-maire-138400">build in the USA, otherwise, let's just make</a> our country richer than ever before!", the president said in his tweet.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Billions of Dollars are pouring into the coffers of the U.S.A. because of the Tariffs being charged to China, and there is a long way to go. If companies don’t want to pay Tariffs, build in the U.S.A. Otherwise, lets just make our Country richer than ever before!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1068120444279103488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Experts around the globe are expecting a breakthrough in talks between Xi and Trump in an escalating trade war which has upset market sentiments across the world.

China's commerce ministry said today that it hoped for "positive results" in resolving a trade dispute with the United States at a G20 summit in Argentina.

The United States has levied additional duties of between 10 per cent and 25 per cent on $250 billion of Chinese goods with 10 per cent tariffs set to climb to 25 per cent next year.

"The Chinese side has repeatedly stressed that the essence of Sino-US economic and trade cooperation is about mutual benefit and win-win," the commerce ministry spokesman said.

The White House had said this week that it was open to a trade deal with China during Trump-Xi talks.

Meanwhile, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said that the US administration officials were examining all available tools to raise US tariffs on Chinese vehicles to the 40 per cent duties that China is now charging on US-produced vehicles.

China had raised tariffs as a result of a tit-for-tat response after the US imposed &nbsp;25 per cent tariff on Chinese vehicles on top of the 2.5 per cent it normally charges.

China had lowered tariffs for all other countries to 15 per cent, but imposed an additional 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on US vehicles.

As the President has repeatedly noted, China's aggressive, State-directed industrial policies are causing severe harm to US workers and manufacturers," Lighthizer said, adding,"we are continuing to raise these issues with China. As of yet, China has not come to the table with proposals for meaningful reform."

Ahead of the crucial G20 meeting with President Xi on Saturday, President tweeted today asserting that billons were pouring into US coffers because of tariffs being charged to China.

Ahead of the crucial G20 meeting with President Xi on Saturday, President tweeted today asserting that billons were pouring into US coffers because of tariffs being charged to China. "If companies don’t want to pay tariffs, build in the USA, otherwise, let's just make our country richer than ever before!", the president said in his tweet. Billions of Dollars are pouring into the coffers of the U.S.A. because of the Tariffs being charged to China, and there is a long way to go. If companies don’t want to pay Tariffs, build in the U.S.A. Otherwise, lets just make our Country richer than ever before! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2018 × Experts around the globe are expecting a breakthrough in talks between Xi and Trump in an escalating trade war which has upset market sentiments across the world. China's commerce ministry said today that it hoped for "positive results" in resolving a trade dispute with the United States at a G20 summit in Argentina. The United States has levied additional duties of between 10 per cent and 25 per cent on $250 billion of Chinese goods with 10 per cent tariffs set to climb to 25 per cent next year. "The Chinese side has repeatedly stressed that the essence of Sino-US economic and trade cooperation is about mutual benefit and win-win," the commerce ministry spokesman said. The White House had said this week that it was open to a trade deal with China during Trump-Xi talks. Meanwhile, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said that the US administration officials were examining all available tools to raise US tariffs on Chinese vehicles to the 40 per cent duties that China is now charging on US-produced vehicles. China had raised tariffs as a result of a tit-for-tat response after the US imposed 25 per cent tariff on Chinese vehicles on top of the 2.5 per cent it normally charges. China had lowered tariffs for all other countries to 15 per cent, but imposed an additional 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on US vehicles. As the President has repeatedly noted, China's aggressive, State-directed industrial policies are causing severe harm to US workers and manufacturers," Lighthizer said, adding,"we are continuing to raise these issues with China. As of yet, China has not come to the table with proposals for meaningful reform."

Ahead of G20 meeting with Xi, Trump says billions of dollars pouring into US due to tariffs on China

China today expressed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-china-conducts-limited-live-fire-drills-in-taiwan-straits-131380">concern over US Naval ships</a> passing through Taiwan Straits.

"China has closely watched and has fully grasped the whole route of the United States warships sailing through the Taiwan Strait. China has already expressed our concerns to the United States," a foreign ministry spokesman said.

China had earlier expressed its dissatisfaction over US plans to sell a batch of military parts to the Taiwanese government. The United States sent two Naval ships through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday riling the Communist state.

The Taiwan issue is related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations," the spokesman added.

The US plans to sell F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane including US ship standard spare parts for several aircrafts, a move which was frowned upon by China recently. China had accused US of violating "international laws and norms governing foreign relations".

China considers Taiwan as one of its provinces and has been at loggerheads with the Taiwan government since the 1940s. The US and Taiwan have been close allies since the 1970S with Washington being a major arms supplier to the island nation.

"We urge the United States to respect the one-China principle and the provisions of the three joint communiqués, cautiously and appropriately handle the Taiwan issue, avoid damaging the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and China-US relations," the spokesman added.

Taiwan has also been engaged in a bitter conflict with China over the South China Sea along with other nations insisting on "freedom of navigation", a move which was backed by US vice-president Mike Pence earlier.

Pence had said there was no place for "empire and aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region, referring to China's tiff with nations in the Pacific who have opposed China's South China Sea strategy.

The US has often called for a stop to the "militarization" of the South China Sea. The confrontation and conflict approach has marred US-China relations in recent months in the middle of an uncomfortable trade war.

China today expressed concern over US Naval ships passing through Taiwan Straits. "China has closely watched and has fully grasped the whole route of the United States warships sailing through the Taiwan Strait.

China today expressed concern over US Naval ships passing through Taiwan Straits. "China has closely watched and has fully grasped the whole route of the United States warships sailing through the Taiwan Strait. China has already expressed our concerns to the United States," a foreign ministry spokesman said. China had earlier expressed its dissatisfaction over US plans to sell a batch of military parts to the Taiwanese government. The United States sent two Naval ships through the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday riling the Communist state. The Taiwan issue is related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations," the spokesman added. The US plans to sell F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane including US ship standard spare parts for several aircrafts, a move which was frowned upon by China recently. China had accused US of violating "international laws and norms governing foreign relations". China considers Taiwan as one of its provinces and has been at loggerheads with the Taiwan government since the 1940s. The US and Taiwan have been close allies since the 1970S with Washington being a major arms supplier to the island nation. "We urge the United States to respect the one-China principle and the provisions of the three joint communiqués, cautiously and appropriately handle the Taiwan issue, avoid damaging the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits and China-US relations," the spokesman added. Taiwan has also been engaged in a bitter conflict with China over the South China Sea along with other nations insisting on "freedom of navigation", a move which was backed by US vice-president Mike Pence earlier. Pence had said there was no place for "empire and aggression" in the Indo-Pacific region, referring to China's tiff with nations in the Pacific who have opposed China's South China Sea strategy. The US has often called for a stop to the "militarization" of the South China Sea. The confrontation and conflict approach has marred US-China relations in recent months in the middle of an uncomfortable trade war.

We urge US to respect one-China principle and avoid damaging peace in Taiwan Straits: China

Most Asian markets rose Monday as investors tentatively pick up cheap stocks, with focus on an expected meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the weekend that will be watched for signs of a softening in the China-US trade war.

The broad gains came despite more hefty selling in energy firms after another collapse in oil prices on Friday, while the pound was flat against the dollar after European Union leaders approved a Brexit deal but which must be cleared by British MPs who mostly oppose it.

The positive mood comes at the start of a key week that sees a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell and the release of the bank's last policy meeting minutes, before culminating in the G20 in Buenos Aires.

While the summit will focus on several global issues, the meeting between Trump and Xi will get the most attention with the economic superpowers engaged in a trade war just as global growth starts to stutter.

But expectations for a deal to end the standoff are low.

"It would seem that President Xi and President Trump have every incentive to come to an agreement on trade issues, even if that agreement does not significantly change the status quo," said JP Morgan Asset Management chief global strategist David Kelly.

"However, perceptions are important on both sides. While some hold out the hope that an agreement in principle will be reached, it seems more likely that an agreement will have to wait for more posturing on both sides."

Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA, called the meeting "possibly the best and last opportunity for the two leaders to share middle ground".

"The big question is are we going to see Trump the 'deal maker' or Trump the 'trade warrior' who wants China to 'feel more pain'? Keeping in mind that betting against the latter has been a poor bet for traders this year."

Crude woes

Still, the week has started on an upbeat note with Hong Kong jumping 1.5 per cent and Shanghai 0.4 per cent higher, while Tokyo went into the break 0.8 per cent higher.

Singapore added 0.6 per cent, Seoul and Taipei each jumped more than one per cent, and Manila gained 0.6 per cent.

However, Wellington and Sydney both declined.

Oil prices edged up slightly but remain well beaten down after Friday's hammering, which saw WTI sink 7.7 per cent and Brent more than six per cent, putting them at lows not seen for more than a year.

The commodity has plunged by about a third from its four-year highs touched at the start of October owing to a range of issues, including a global slowdown, the trade row, rising supplies, softer-than-expected US sanctions on Iran, a stuttering China and strong dollar.

The retreat comes ahead of a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on December 6.

"At the root of the oil market woes, there is too much supply and too little demand," said Innes. "But much of the near term price recovery will be driven by what happens in G20 in Buenos Aires and at the OPEC summit in Vienna a week later."

The losses in crude prices have battered energy firms over the past two months, and they continued to fall Monday.

Hong Kong-listed PetroChina fell 1.5 per cent, while Sinopec was one per cent off. Inpex dropped 2.9 per cent in Tokyo and Woodside Petroleum sank 2.2 per cent in Sydney.

On currency markets, the pound was barely moved against the dollar as British Prime Minister Theresa May faces an uphill struggle pushing through her draft Brexit deal, with MPs on both sides against it.

May has staked her political future on the agreement and failure would likely lead to the toppling of her government, fuelling fresh uncertainty and hitting the sterling.

EU leaders have said the deal is the best possible one Britain could hope for, meaning a rejection of it will more than likely see the country crash out of the bloc.

Key figures around 0230 GMT&nbsp;

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 21,815.55 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 1.5 percent at 26,314.63

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.4 percent at 2,590.89

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2810 from $1.2805 at 1930 GMT Friday

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1333 from $1.1331

Dollar/yen: UP at 113.07 yen from 112.85 yen

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP 40 cents at $50.82 per barrel

Oil - Brent Crude: UP 67 cents at $59.47 per barrel

New York - Dow Jones: DOWN 0.7 percent at 24,285.95 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 6,952.86 (close)

Most Asian markets rose Monday as investors tentatively pick up cheap stocks, with focus on an expected meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the weekend that will be watched for signs of a softening in the China-US trade war.

Most Asian markets rose Monday as investors tentatively pick up cheap stocks, with focus on an expected meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the weekend that will be watched for signs of a softening in the China-US trade war. The broad gains came despite more hefty selling in energy firms after another collapse in oil prices on Friday, while the pound was flat against the dollar after European Union leaders approved a Brexit deal but which must be cleared by British MPs who mostly oppose it. The positive mood comes at the start of a key week that sees a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell and the release of the bank's last policy meeting minutes, before culminating in the G20 in Buenos Aires. While the summit will focus on several global issues, the meeting between Trump and Xi will get the most attention with the economic superpowers engaged in a trade war just as global growth starts to stutter. But expectations for a deal to end the standoff are low. "It would seem that President Xi and President Trump have every incentive to come to an agreement on trade issues, even if that agreement does not significantly change the status quo," said JP Morgan Asset Management chief global strategist David Kelly. "However, perceptions are important on both sides. While some hold out the hope that an agreement in principle will be reached, it seems more likely that an agreement will have to wait for more posturing on both sides." Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA, called the meeting "possibly the best and last opportunity for the two leaders to share middle ground". "The big question is are we going to see Trump the 'deal maker' or Trump the 'trade warrior' who wants China to 'feel more pain'? Keeping in mind that betting against the latter has been a poor bet for traders this year." Crude woes Still, the week has started on an upbeat note with Hong Kong jumping 1.5 per cent and Shanghai 0.4 per cent higher, while Tokyo went into the break 0.8 per cent higher. Singapore added 0.6 per cent, Seoul and Taipei each jumped more than one per cent, and Manila gained 0.6 per cent. However, Wellington and Sydney both declined. Oil prices edged up slightly but remain well beaten down after Friday's hammering, which saw WTI sink 7.7 per cent and Brent more than six per cent, putting them at lows not seen for more than a year. The commodity has plunged by about a third from its four-year highs touched at the start of October owing to a range of issues, including a global slowdown, the trade row, rising supplies, softer-than-expected US sanctions on Iran, a stuttering China and strong dollar. The retreat comes ahead of a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on December 6. "At the root of the oil market woes, there is too much supply and too little demand," said Innes. "But much of the near term price recovery will be driven by what happens in G20 in Buenos Aires and at the OPEC summit in Vienna a week later." The losses in crude prices have battered energy firms over the past two months, and they continued to fall Monday. Hong Kong-listed PetroChina fell 1.5 per cent, while Sinopec was one per cent off. Inpex dropped 2.9 per cent in Tokyo and Woodside Petroleum sank 2.2 per cent in Sydney. On currency markets, the pound was barely moved against the dollar as British Prime Minister Theresa May faces an uphill struggle pushing through her draft Brexit deal, with MPs on both sides against it. May has staked her political future on the agreement and failure would likely lead to the toppling of her government, fuelling fresh uncertainty and hitting the sterling. EU leaders have said the deal is the best possible one Britain could hope for, meaning a rejection of it will more than likely see the country crash out of the bloc. Key figures around 0230 GMT Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 0.8 percent at 21,815.55 (break) Hong Kong - Hang Seng: UP 1.5 percent at 26,314.63 Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.4 percent at 2,590.89 Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2810 from $1.2805 at 1930 GMT Friday Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1333 from $1.1331 Dollar/yen: UP at 113.07 yen from 112.85 yen Oil - West Texas Intermediate: UP 40 cents at $50.82 per barrel Oil - Brent Crude: UP 67 cents at $59.47 per barrel New York - Dow Jones: DOWN 0.7 percent at 24,285.95 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 6,952.86 (close)

Asian markets mostly up as eyes turn to Trump-Xi talks

China "very badly" wants to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-hasnt-altered-its-unfair-market-distorting-trade-practices-says-ustr-ahead-of-trump-xi-meet-178468">have a trade deal with the US</a>, President Trump has said ahead of a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit.

China and the US are currently locked in an ongoing trade war as each country has introduced tariffs on goods traded between each other. Trump has promised to fix China's "longtime abuse of the broken international system and unfair practices".&nbsp;

Over the past six months, Trump has imposed additional trade tariffs on import of Chinese products worth $250 billion. He said another tariff of equal amount is in the pipeline.

Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on November 30 and December 1.&nbsp;

President Trump said that the US was doing very well with China.

"We're doing very well with China. China wants to make a deal very badly. They might not say that to you, but they want to make it very badly," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for his personal Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to spend Thanksgiving holidays.

He said that the US will impose another $250 billion on China if there is no deal.

"I have another $250 billion worth of tariffs to put on if we don't make a deal. Believe me, I'll be putting them on because China has been ripping off our country for many, many years. And they don't rip us off with me," Trump said.

He said that the US economy is doing quite well.

"I'd like to see the Fed with a lower interest rate. I think the rate is too high. I think we have much more of a Fed problem than we have a problem with anyone else," he said. 
Trump also said that he made a great deal with Canada and Mexico.

Referring to Mexico, he said: "I appreciate the help that Mexico is giving us at the border. You see that people are not coming through. All of the fistfights and the fighting that you see are done on the Mexico side. They're not coming in here. But I appreciate what Mexico is doing. They can do more, but I appreciate what they're doing ". 
&nbsp;

China "very badly" wants to have a trade deal with the US, President Trump has said ahead of a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit.

China "very badly" wants to have a trade deal with the US, President Trump has said ahead of a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Argentina on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. China and the US are currently locked in an ongoing trade war as each country has introduced tariffs on goods traded between each other. Trump has promised to fix China's "longtime abuse of the broken international system and unfair practices". Over the past six months, Trump has imposed additional trade tariffs on import of Chinese products worth $250 billion. He said another tariff of equal amount is in the pipeline. Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Argentina on November 30 and December 1. President Trump said that the US was doing very well with China. "We're doing very well with China. China wants to make a deal very badly. They might not say that to you, but they want to make it very badly," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for his personal Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida to spend Thanksgiving holidays. He said that the US will impose another $250 billion on China if there is no deal. "I have another $250 billion worth of tariffs to put on if we don't make a deal. Believe me, I'll be putting them on because China has been ripping off our country for many, many years. And they don't rip us off with me," Trump said. He said that the US economy is doing quite well. "I'd like to see the Fed with a lower interest rate. I think the rate is too high. I think we have much more of a Fed problem than we have a problem with anyone else," he said. Trump also said that he made a great deal with Canada and Mexico. Referring to Mexico, he said: "I appreciate the help that Mexico is giving us at the border. You see that people are not coming through. All of the fistfights and the fighting that you see are done on the Mexico side. They're not coming in here. But I appreciate what Mexico is doing. They can do more, but I appreciate what they're doing ".

I have another $250 billion worth of tariffs, China wants to make a deal very badly, says Trump

The Trump administration on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/full-blown-us-china-trade-war-will-slow-global-growth-by-less-than-1-imf-170313">Tuesday said that China has</a> failed to alter its "unfair" practices at the heart of the US-China trade conflict, adding to tensions ahead of a high-stakes meeting later this month between US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The findings were issued in an update of the US&nbsp;Trade Representative's "Section 301" investigation into China's intellectual property and technology transfer policies, which sparked US&nbsp;tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods that later ballooned to $250 billion.

"We completed this update as part of this Administration's strengthened monitoring and enforcement effort," USTR Robert Lighthizer said in a statement. "This update shows that China has not fundamentally altered its unfair, unreasonable, and market-distorting practices that were the subject of the March 2018 report on our Section 301 investigation."

In the update, USTR said it had found that China had not responded "constructively" to the initial section 301 reports and failed to take any substantive actions to address US&nbsp;concerns. It added that China had made clear it would not change its policies in response to the initial investigation.

USTR said that China was continuing its policy and practice of conducting and supporting cyber-enabled theft of US&nbsp;intellectual property and was continuing discriminatory technology licensing restrictions.

The update said that despite the relaxation of some foreign ownership restrictions, "the Chinese government has persisted in using foreign investment restrictions to require or pressure the transfer of technology from US&nbsp;companies to Chinese entities."

The report comes as the Trump administration and top Chinese officials are discussing possible ways out of their trade war and negotiating details of the Trump-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires at the end of November.

But acrimonious trade rhetoric between the governments of the world's two largest economies has been increasing in recent days, spilling over into an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last weekend.

A top Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday that the failure of APEC officials to agree on a communique from the summit was a result of certain countries "excusing" protectionism, a veiled criticism of Washington's tariffs.

US vice president Mike Pence had said on Saturday that the United States would not back down from the trade dispute, and might even double tariffs, unless Beijing bowed to US&nbsp;demands.

The Trump administration on Tuesday said that China has failed to alter its "unfair" practices at the heart of the US-China trade conflict, adding to tensions ahead of a high-stakes meeting later this month between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Trump administration on Tuesday said that China has failed to alter its "unfair" practices at the heart of the US-China trade conflict, adding to tensions ahead of a high-stakes meeting later this month between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The findings were issued in an update of the US Trade Representative's "Section 301" investigation into China's intellectual property and technology transfer policies, which sparked US tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods that later ballooned to $250 billion. "We completed this update as part of this Administration's strengthened monitoring and enforcement effort," USTR Robert Lighthizer said in a statement. "This update shows that China has not fundamentally altered its unfair, unreasonable, and market-distorting practices that were the subject of the March 2018 report on our Section 301 investigation." In the update, USTR said it had found that China had not responded "constructively" to the initial section 301 reports and failed to take any substantive actions to address US concerns. It added that China had made clear it would not change its policies in response to the initial investigation. USTR said that China was continuing its policy and practice of conducting and supporting cyber-enabled theft of US intellectual property and was continuing discriminatory technology licensing restrictions. The update said that despite the relaxation of some foreign ownership restrictions, "the Chinese government has persisted in using foreign investment restrictions to require or pressure the transfer of technology from US companies to Chinese entities." The report comes as the Trump administration and top Chinese officials are discussing possible ways out of their trade war and negotiating details of the Trump-Xi meeting on the sidelines of the G20 leaders summit in Buenos Aires at the end of November. But acrimonious trade rhetoric between the governments of the world's two largest economies has been increasing in recent days, spilling over into an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last weekend. A top Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday that the failure of APEC officials to agree on a communique from the summit was a result of certain countries "excusing" protectionism, a veiled criticism of Washington's tariffs. US vice president Mike Pence had said on Saturday that the United States would not back down from the trade dispute, and might even double tariffs, unless Beijing bowed to US demands.

China hasn't altered its unfair, market-distorting trade practices, says USTR ahead of Trump, Xi meet

The year 2018 has been an exceptional year for India-US economic relations. Trade tensions triggered by protectionist measures taken by the US Administration following the show of aggressive intent by President Donald Trump against the major economies, has left India in a piquant situation.

While several of those targeted have either adopted retaliatory measures or have decided to concede ground to the largest economic power, India seems to have been caught between the imperatives of maintaining a policy of non-confrontation with its strategic partner, on the one hand, and to protect the interests of domestic manufacturing industry, especially when the industry is facing some of the most serious challenges.

In March, President Trump announced his decision to block imports by imposing “reciprocal tax” against countries using tariffs on American products. The objective was to trigger the revival of the American manufacturing sector. Through a Presidential Proclamation, import tariffs of 25 per cent and 10 per cent were imposed on steel and aluminium, by invoking the provisions of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This provision allows the Administration to take measures to protect domestic industries for “national defence” and “national security”.

India was among the countries adversely affected by increased import tariffs on steel and aluminium. Indian exporters faced an additional burden of $241 million arising from the proposed import duties, which was nearly 20 per cent of their export realisations in calendar year 2017.

Until 2015-16, the United States was one of the largest markets for the Indian industry, with an export share of above 8 per cent. In the subsequent years, exports declined precipitously, and the export share dipped to less than half in the subsequent years.

With its exports to one of the world’s largest steel markets already on a down-hill, Indian steel industry, thus faced an uncertain future.

Like most affected countries, India tried to initiate negotiations with the US government by announcing retaliatory measures. In May, India submitted a notification in the WTO, indicating that tariffs on 20 products imported from the US would be increased.

Included in this list were agricultural products like soya beans and palmolein, and the American icon, Harley Davidson motorcycles. In a later notification in June, India increased the list to 30 products, but subsequently, Harley Davidson was taken off the list.

Although the increase in import duties were to take effect from August 4, this action was deferred, presumably because of the two-by-two dialogue between India and the US, which was held in the third week of August.

While India’s position has been to find a negotiated solution to the trade frictions, the US Administration has adopted an aggressive stance towards India and other trade partners, which was underlined by President Trump.

Yet another evidence of this stance was the increase in anti-dumping actions against India in 2018. Until mid-November, the US Customs and Border Protection had taken anti-dumping actions against 27 products exported by India, the highest in recent years.

Interestingly, a majority of these products included those from the iron and steel industry. This shows that the injury to the Indian industry that began with the tariff hikes in March, was heightened by the anti-dumping action.

The most recent of US actions against India was the Presidential Proclamation of October 30 (Proclamation 9813) “To Modify the List of Products Eligible for Duty-Free Treatment Under the Generalized System of Preferences”.

This Proclamation gave a list of products from the developing countries, which would not receive duty-free access into the United States market from November 1, 2018, that they had hitherto enjoyed under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The GSP was introduced in 1971 after the second session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had unanimously adopted it in 1968. Under the GSP, developing countries’ exports were granted duty-free access by the developed countries. Developed countries thus granted unilateral trade concessions to the developing countries for increasing their exports.

The US Trade Administration annually reviews the GSP preferences, examining whether exports from developing countries conform to Competitive Need Limitations (CNL).

A developing country can lose its GSP benefits on any product if the CNLs are exceeded. Two measures are adopted for assessing CNLs: import of a product from a beneficiary developing country accounts for 50 per cent or more of the total imports of the product; or imports exceed a certain dollar value, which was set at $180 million in 2017.

Enforcement of CNLs is subject to waivers, the main being the de minimis waiver. This waiver sets a floor for the value of imported products below which CNLs cannot be enforced. In 2017, the floor was set at $23.5 million.

In its current year’s review, the US identified 94 products from 16 countries, which would lose GSP benefits from November 1, 2018. This list included 50 products imported from India, by far the largest number for any GSP beneficiary.

The list of products targeting imports from India are all relatively low-value products; more than half of the 50 products had import values of less than $1 million in 2017.

The product with the highest import value in 2017, hand-loomed carpet and other textile floor coverings, was just $10.3 million, way below the CNL threshold of $180 million. The Indian products for which US has withdrawn GSP benefits, clearly qualify for de minimis waiver, since their import values were below the threshold of $23.5 million in 2017.

It is time that the government of India protects the interests of the domestic manufacturing industry from the increasingly protectionist American Administration.

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-battling-against-us-protectionism-2687311">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The year 2018 has been an exceptional year for India-US economic relations. Trade tensions triggered by protectionist measures taken by the US Administration following the show of aggressive intent by President Donald Trump against the major economies, has left India in a piquant situation.

The year 2018 has been an exceptional year for India-US economic relations. Trade tensions triggered by protectionist measures taken by the US Administration following the show of aggressive intent by President Donald Trump against the major economies, has left India in a piquant situation. While several of those targeted have either adopted retaliatory measures or have decided to concede ground to the largest economic power, India seems to have been caught between the imperatives of maintaining a policy of non-confrontation with its strategic partner, on the one hand, and to protect the interests of domestic manufacturing industry, especially when the industry is facing some of the most serious challenges. In March, President Trump announced his decision to block imports by imposing “reciprocal tax” against countries using tariffs on American products. The objective was to trigger the revival of the American manufacturing sector. Through a Presidential Proclamation, import tariffs of 25 per cent and 10 per cent were imposed on steel and aluminium, by invoking the provisions of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This provision allows the Administration to take measures to protect domestic industries for “national defence” and “national security”. India was among the countries adversely affected by increased import tariffs on steel and aluminium. Indian exporters faced an additional burden of $241 million arising from the proposed import duties, which was nearly 20 per cent of their export realisations in calendar year 2017. Until 2015-16, the United States was one of the largest markets for the Indian industry, with an export share of above 8 per cent. In the subsequent years, exports declined precipitously, and the export share dipped to less than half in the subsequent years. With its exports to one of the world’s largest steel markets already on a down-hill, Indian steel industry, thus faced an uncertain future. Like most affected countries, India tried to initiate negotiations with the US government by announcing retaliatory measures. In May, India submitted a notification in the WTO, indicating that tariffs on 20 products imported from the US would be increased. Included in this list were agricultural products like soya beans and palmolein, and the American icon, Harley Davidson motorcycles. In a later notification in June, India increased the list to 30 products, but subsequently, Harley Davidson was taken off the list. Although the increase in import duties were to take effect from August 4, this action was deferred, presumably because of the two-by-two dialogue between India and the US, which was held in the third week of August. While India’s position has been to find a negotiated solution to the trade frictions, the US Administration has adopted an aggressive stance towards India and other trade partners, which was underlined by President Trump. Yet another evidence of this stance was the increase in anti-dumping actions against India in 2018. Until mid-November, the US Customs and Border Protection had taken anti-dumping actions against 27 products exported by India, the highest in recent years. Interestingly, a majority of these products included those from the iron and steel industry. This shows that the injury to the Indian industry that began with the tariff hikes in March, was heightened by the anti-dumping action. The most recent of US actions against India was the Presidential Proclamation of October 30 (Proclamation 9813) “To Modify the List of Products Eligible for Duty-Free Treatment Under the Generalized System of Preferences”. This Proclamation gave a list of products from the developing countries, which would not receive duty-free access into the United States market from November 1, 2018, that they had hitherto enjoyed under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The GSP was introduced in 1971 after the second session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had unanimously adopted it in 1968. Under the GSP, developing countries’ exports were granted duty-free access by the developed countries. Developed countries thus granted unilateral trade concessions to the developing countries for increasing their exports. The US Trade Administration annually reviews the GSP preferences, examining whether exports from developing countries conform to Competitive Need Limitations (CNL). A developing country can lose its GSP benefits on any product if the CNLs are exceeded. Two measures are adopted for assessing CNLs: import of a product from a beneficiary developing country accounts for 50 per cent or more of the total imports of the product; or imports exceed a certain dollar value, which was set at $180 million in 2017. Enforcement of CNLs is subject to waivers, the main being the de minimis waiver. This waiver sets a floor for the value of imported products below which CNLs cannot be enforced. In 2017, the floor was set at $23.5 million. In its current year’s review, the US identified 94 products from 16 countries, which would lose GSP benefits from November 1, 2018. This list included 50 products imported from India, by far the largest number for any GSP beneficiary. The list of products targeting imports from India are all relatively low-value products; more than half of the 50 products had import values of less than $1 million in 2017. The product with the highest import value in 2017, hand-loomed carpet and other textile floor coverings, was just $10.3 million, way below the CNL threshold of $180 million. The Indian products for which US has withdrawn GSP benefits, clearly qualify for de minimis waiver, since their import values were below the threshold of $23.5 million in 2017. It is time that the government of India protects the interests of the domestic manufacturing industry from the increasingly protectionist American Administration. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Battling against US protectionism

Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time in their history as deep divisions between the United States and China over trade and investment stymied cooperation.

Competition between the United States and China over the Pacific was also thrown into focus with the United States and its Western allies launching a coordinated response to China's Belt and Road programme.

"You know the two big giants in the room," Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O`Neill said at a closing news conference, when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group could not agree.

O'Neill, who was chairman of the meeting, said the sticking point was over whether mention of the World Trade Organization and its possible reform should be in the Leaders'&nbsp;Declaration.

"APEC has got no charter over World Trade Organization, that is a fact. Those matters can be raised at the World Trade Organization."

The multilateral trade order that APEC was established in 1989 to protect is crumbling as Chinese assertiveness in the Pacific and US tariffs strain relations in the region and divide loyalties.

A Leaders'&nbsp;Declaration has been issued after every annual APEC leaders` meeting since the first in 1993, the group`s website shows.&nbsp;

O'Neill said that as APEC host, he would release a Chairman`s Statement, though it was not clear when.

US President Donald Trump did not attend the meeting and nor did his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

US Vice President Mike Pence attended instead of Trump.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to great fanfare on Thursday and was feted by PNG officials. He stoked Western concern on Friday when he met Pacific island leaders to pitch his Belt and Road initiative.

The United States and its allies, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, countered on Sunday with a $1.7 billion plan to deliver reliable electricity and the internet to PNG.

Pacific theatre

Wang Xiaolong, a senior economic official with China`s APEC delegation, said of the failure to agree on a joint statement that it was "not exactly a sticking point between any particular two countries".

Most members affirmed their commitment to preserving the multilateral trading system and supported a robust and well-functioning WTO, he said.

"Frankly speaking, we are in a very early stage of those discussions and different countries have different ideas as to how to take that process forward," Wang said.

One diplomat involved in the negotiations said tension between the US&nbsp;and China, bubbling all week, erupted when the Chinese government`s top diplomat, Wang Yi, objected during a leaders` retreat to two paragraphs in a draft document seen by Reuters.

One mentioned opposing "unfair trade practices" and reforming the WTO, while another concerned sustainable development.

"These two countries were pushing each other so much that the chair couldn`t see an option to bridge them," said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

"China was angered that the reference to WTO blamed a country for unfair trade practices."

Pence said in a blunt speech on Saturday there would be no end to US&nbsp;tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods until China changed its ways. On Sunday, as he left the PNG capital of Port Moresby, he listed US&nbsp;differences with China.

"They begin with trade practices, with tariffs and quotas, forced technology transfers, the theft of intellectual property. It goes beyond that to freedom of navigation in the seas, concerns about human rights," Pence told reporters.

Pence also took direct aim at Xi`s signature Belt and Road initiative, saying in his speech countries should not accept debt that compromised their sovereignty.&nbsp;

"We do not offer a constricting belt or a one-way road," he said.&nbsp;

Centre of attention

The Belt and Road plan was first proposed in 2013 to expand land and sea links between Asia, Africa and Europe, with billions of dollars in infrastructure investment from China.

APEC host PNG is home to 8 million people, four-fifths of whom live outside urban areas and with poor infrastructure, and found itself feted by superpowers.

Xi opened a Beijing-funded boulevard, while Pence talked of a 400-year old King James Bible in the PNG parliament that he had played a role in bringing to the country.

Australia, a staunch US&nbsp;ally, has for decades enjoyed largely unrivalled influence among Pacific island nations. China has recently turned its attention to the region with a raft of bilateral financing agreements to often distressed economies.&nbsp;

PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato said his country did not need to pick sides.

"For us, we welcome Chinese investment, we welcome US&nbsp;investment. Our foreign policy is to be friends of all, enemies of none." 
&nbsp;

Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time in their history as deep divisions between the United States and China over trade and investment stymied cooperation.

Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time in their history as deep divisions between the United States and China over trade and investment stymied cooperation. Competition between the United States and China over the Pacific was also thrown into focus with the United States and its Western allies launching a coordinated response to China's Belt and Road programme. "You know the two big giants in the room," Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O`Neill said at a closing news conference, when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group could not agree. O'Neill, who was chairman of the meeting, said the sticking point was over whether mention of the World Trade Organization and its possible reform should be in the Leaders' Declaration. "APEC has got no charter over World Trade Organization, that is a fact. Those matters can be raised at the World Trade Organization." The multilateral trade order that APEC was established in 1989 to protect is crumbling as Chinese assertiveness in the Pacific and US tariffs strain relations in the region and divide loyalties. A Leaders' Declaration has been issued after every annual APEC leaders` meeting since the first in 1993, the group`s website shows. O'Neill said that as APEC host, he would release a Chairman`s Statement, though it was not clear when. US President Donald Trump did not attend the meeting and nor did his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. US Vice President Mike Pence attended instead of Trump. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to great fanfare on Thursday and was feted by PNG officials. He stoked Western concern on Friday when he met Pacific island leaders to pitch his Belt and Road initiative. The United States and its allies, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, countered on Sunday with a $1.7 billion plan to deliver reliable electricity and the internet to PNG. Pacific theatre Wang Xiaolong, a senior economic official with China`s APEC delegation, said of the failure to agree on a joint statement that it was "not exactly a sticking point between any particular two countries". Most members affirmed their commitment to preserving the multilateral trading system and supported a robust and well-functioning WTO, he said. "Frankly speaking, we are in a very early stage of those discussions and different countries have different ideas as to how to take that process forward," Wang said. One diplomat involved in the negotiations said tension between the US and China, bubbling all week, erupted when the Chinese government`s top diplomat, Wang Yi, objected during a leaders` retreat to two paragraphs in a draft document seen by Reuters. One mentioned opposing "unfair trade practices" and reforming the WTO, while another concerned sustainable development. "These two countries were pushing each other so much that the chair couldn`t see an option to bridge them," said the diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. "China was angered that the reference to WTO blamed a country for unfair trade practices." Pence said in a blunt speech on Saturday there would be no end to US tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods until China changed its ways. On Sunday, as he left the PNG capital of Port Moresby, he listed US differences with China. "They begin with trade practices, with tariffs and quotas, forced technology transfers, the theft of intellectual property. It goes beyond that to freedom of navigation in the seas, concerns about human rights," Pence told reporters. Pence also took direct aim at Xi`s signature Belt and Road initiative, saying in his speech countries should not accept debt that compromised their sovereignty. "We do not offer a constricting belt or a one-way road," he said. Centre of attention The Belt and Road plan was first proposed in 2013 to expand land and sea links between Asia, Africa and Europe, with billions of dollars in infrastructure investment from China. APEC host PNG is home to 8 million people, four-fifths of whom live outside urban areas and with poor infrastructure, and found itself feted by superpowers. Xi opened a Beijing-funded boulevard, while Pence talked of a 400-year old King James Bible in the PNG parliament that he had played a role in bringing to the country. Australia, a staunch US ally, has for decades enjoyed largely unrivalled influence among Pacific island nations. China has recently turned its attention to the region with a raft of bilateral financing agreements to often distressed economies. PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato said his country did not need to pick sides. "For us, we welcome Chinese investment, we welcome US investment. Our foreign policy is to be friends of all, enemies of none."

APEC fails to reach consensus as US-China divide deepens

The trade war between the US and China has heightened tensions in global markets and increased volatility in international prices, especially in some key commodities.

While the US tries to ‘correct’ its worsening trade deficit with China by raising punitive tariffs across key sectors like steel and aluminium, China has retaliated by launching tariff lines across sectors that are likely to hurt US exports the most.

However, given the highly interconnected nature of today’s trade, the repercussions of the bilateral trade war are likely to be felt multilaterally across countries, sectors and businesses.

One of the core principles of economics is that free trade can potentially benefit everyone. While the past is riddled with stories of how free trade has catapulted nations into prosperity — the most notable in the recent past being the East Asian Tigers and China — yet, there is growing evidence to suggest that free trade brings with it losers and winners.

If the redistribution of wealth between the losers and winners is drastic, this can generate resentment. This partly explains the growing backlash against free trade, especially in the West. These were the countries which benefited the most from free trade in their early stages of development in the 19th and 20th centuries.

However, towards the end of the 20th century and in the beginning of the 21st century, as the lower-income countries began gaining manufacturing competitiveness through their abundant but cheap labour, the manufacturing base of the western countries gradually began to erode as multinational corporations (MNCs) started shift their manufacturing centres to the lower income countries, like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.

The richer countries continued to specialise in the tertiary and other highly skilled sectors, which could employ only a limited amount of the vast manufacturing labour that was now left without jobs. Thus, while free trade benefitted the richer nations as a whole, the gains from trade were captured by the top few, widening inequality in these nations.&nbsp;

The growing protectionism in the West needs to be seen in this light. Coming to the context of trade in general, the recent trade war is unlikely to be long lived. Both US and China are mutually dependent on each other. While punitive tariffs can give short-term benefits by redistributing the gains from trade, the longer solution is not to restrict free trade but use other redistributive measures, such as income or wealth taxation.

India is a small player in the global trade scenario, making up less than 2 per cent of global trade. Yet, the recent trade war is likely to have a negative fallout not just on our steel and aluminium exports but also our current account deficit (CAD) and the worsening of the rupee.

The way forward is to engage multilateral forums like the World Trade Organization (WTO), strengthening multilateralism, and using trade diplomacy with our major trading partners, notably the US and China. At the same time, steps to enhance export competitiveness need to continue, as raising labour-intensive exports is the surest way to promote sustainable growth.

Author is a research scholar at DSE

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-widening-inequality-among-nations-2686763">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The trade war between the US and China has heightened tensions in global markets and increased volatility in international prices, especially in some key commodities.

The trade war between the US and China has heightened tensions in global markets and increased volatility in international prices, especially in some key commodities. While the US tries to ‘correct’ its worsening trade deficit with China by raising punitive tariffs across key sectors like steel and aluminium, China has retaliated by launching tariff lines across sectors that are likely to hurt US exports the most. However, given the highly interconnected nature of today’s trade, the repercussions of the bilateral trade war are likely to be felt multilaterally across countries, sectors and businesses. One of the core principles of economics is that free trade can potentially benefit everyone. While the past is riddled with stories of how free trade has catapulted nations into prosperity — the most notable in the recent past being the East Asian Tigers and China — yet, there is growing evidence to suggest that free trade brings with it losers and winners. If the redistribution of wealth between the losers and winners is drastic, this can generate resentment. This partly explains the growing backlash against free trade, especially in the West. These were the countries which benefited the most from free trade in their early stages of development in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, towards the end of the 20th century and in the beginning of the 21st century, as the lower-income countries began gaining manufacturing competitiveness through their abundant but cheap labour, the manufacturing base of the western countries gradually began to erode as multinational corporations (MNCs) started shift their manufacturing centres to the lower income countries, like China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. The richer countries continued to specialise in the tertiary and other highly skilled sectors, which could employ only a limited amount of the vast manufacturing labour that was now left without jobs. Thus, while free trade benefitted the richer nations as a whole, the gains from trade were captured by the top few, widening inequality in these nations. The growing protectionism in the West needs to be seen in this light. Coming to the context of trade in general, the recent trade war is unlikely to be long lived. Both US and China are mutually dependent on each other. While punitive tariffs can give short-term benefits by redistributing the gains from trade, the longer solution is not to restrict free trade but use other redistributive measures, such as income or wealth taxation. India is a small player in the global trade scenario, making up less than 2 per cent of global trade. Yet, the recent trade war is likely to have a negative fallout not just on our steel and aluminium exports but also our current account deficit (CAD) and the worsening of the rupee. The way forward is to engage multilateral forums like the World Trade Organization (WTO), strengthening multilateralism, and using trade diplomacy with our major trading partners, notably the US and China. At the same time, steps to enhance export competitiveness need to continue, as raising labour-intensive exports is the surest way to promote sustainable growth. Author is a research scholar at DSE (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Widening inequality among nations

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had "very good" talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the trade conflict between the two economic giants, and meetings were being planned at the G20 summit at the end of this month.

The phone call comes as tensions between the world's two biggest economies are rising on several fronts, including commerce and security.

"Just had a long and very good conversation with President Xi Jinping of China. We talked about many subjects, with a heavy emphasis on Trade," Trump tweeted.

Trump said trade talks were "moving along nicely" and that meetings were "being scheduled" at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

Xi said he was "very happy" to talk to Trump again and attaches "great importance to good relations with the president", according to China's official Xinhua news agency.

The Chinese president also said he would like to meet Trump at the G20.

Disagreements on trade have "adversely affected" industries from both countries as well as global trade, Xi said.

"China does not want to see this," he said, according to Xinhua.

"The economic teams of the two countries should strengthen contact, conduct consultations on issues of mutual concern, and push for a mutually acceptable solution to China-US economic and trade issues," Xi said.

Washington and Beijing are in an increasingly high-stakes standoff over Trump's aggressive move to end what he says have been years of unfair trade practices by China, including rampant intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and market access barriers.

Trump imposed new tariffs on roughly half of Chinese imports this summer while Beijing fired back with tariffs on most US products.

Trump said he and Xi also had "a good discussion on North Korea."

The US leader wants to maintain United Nations sanctions and pressure to compel Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, even as he prepares for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Xi said the situation on the Korean peninsula has "undergone positive changes."

"It is hoped that the United States and (North Korea) will take care of each other's concerns and further advance the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," he said, adding that "China will continue to play a constructive role."

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had "very good" talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the trade conflict between the two economic giants, and meetings were being planned at the G20 summit at the end of this month.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had "very good" talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on the trade conflict between the two economic giants, and meetings were being planned at the G20 summit at the end of this month. The phone call comes as tensions between the world's two biggest economies are rising on several fronts, including commerce and security. "Just had a long and very good conversation with President Xi Jinping of China. We talked about many subjects, with a heavy emphasis on Trade," Trump tweeted. Trump said trade talks were "moving along nicely" and that meetings were "being scheduled" at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires. Xi said he was "very happy" to talk to Trump again and attaches "great importance to good relations with the president", according to China's official Xinhua news agency. The Chinese president also said he would like to meet Trump at the G20. Disagreements on trade have "adversely affected" industries from both countries as well as global trade, Xi said. "China does not want to see this," he said, according to Xinhua. "The economic teams of the two countries should strengthen contact, conduct consultations on issues of mutual concern, and push for a mutually acceptable solution to China-US economic and trade issues," Xi said. Washington and Beijing are in an increasingly high-stakes standoff over Trump's aggressive move to end what he says have been years of unfair trade practices by China, including rampant intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers and market access barriers. Trump imposed new tariffs on roughly half of Chinese imports this summer while Beijing fired back with tariffs on most US products. Trump said he and Xi also had "a good discussion on North Korea." The US leader wants to maintain United Nations sanctions and pressure to compel Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme, even as he prepares for a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Xi said the situation on the Korean peninsula has "undergone positive changes." "It is hoped that the United States and (North Korea) will take care of each other's concerns and further advance the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," he said, adding that "China will continue to play a constructive role."

Trump, Xi eye G20 talks after 'very good' phone call

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a visiting delegation of seven US Republican lawmakers on Thursday that he hoped their two countries can meet "halfway" amid friction over trade, security and other issues.

Relations between Washington and Beijing have grown tense since US President Donald Trump activated new tariffs on roughly half of the Chinese imports this summer while Beijing fired back with tariffs on most US products.

Some of the US lawmakers attending the meeting with Li in China's leadership compound have expressed concern over Trump's trade tactics.

"Over the past four decades, the China-US relationship has had its share of ups and downs, but, generally speaking, it has been moving forward all along," Li told the US delegation.

"We do hope that China and the United States will meet each other halfway and work together in the spirit of mutual respect and equality," Li said.

The working relationship between the two capitals has been further tested recently by a speech by US Vice President Mike Pence accusing China of military aggression and technology theft.

On Wednesday, Washington indicted 10 Chinese, including two intelligence officers, alleging a hacking scheme to steal technology from US companies.

Li suggested it was still possible to get relations back on track.

"In this way, our two countries will be able to overcome differences and have the wisdom to overcome the obstacles and move our relationship forward on an even sounder track," he said.

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a critic of the Trump tariffs, led the group of Republican lawmakers.

"Your country and our country are competitors but not adversaries. And we believe that with mutual respect we can continue to prosper together," Alexander told Li.

"I would like to take this time to, first introduce my delegation, second to make a request that I think will be not easy but not so hard for China to do and, third to discuss trade," Alexander said before reporters were ushered out.

This summer the senator lamented the devastating effect the tariffs were having on his home state.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a visiting delegation of seven US Republican lawmakers on Thursday that he hoped their two countries can meet "halfway" amid friction over trade, security and other issues.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told a visiting delegation of seven US Republican lawmakers on Thursday that he hoped their two countries can meet "halfway" amid friction over trade, security and other issues. Relations between Washington and Beijing have grown tense since US President Donald Trump activated new tariffs on roughly half of the Chinese imports this summer while Beijing fired back with tariffs on most US products. Some of the US lawmakers attending the meeting with Li in China's leadership compound have expressed concern over Trump's trade tactics. "Over the past four decades, the China-US relationship has had its share of ups and downs, but, generally speaking, it has been moving forward all along," Li told the US delegation. "We do hope that China and the United States will meet each other halfway and work together in the spirit of mutual respect and equality," Li said. The working relationship between the two capitals has been further tested recently by a speech by US Vice President Mike Pence accusing China of military aggression and technology theft. On Wednesday, Washington indicted 10 Chinese, including two intelligence officers, alleging a hacking scheme to steal technology from US companies. Li suggested it was still possible to get relations back on track. "In this way, our two countries will be able to overcome differences and have the wisdom to overcome the obstacles and move our relationship forward on an even sounder track," he said. Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a critic of the Trump tariffs, led the group of Republican lawmakers. "Your country and our country are competitors but not adversaries. And we believe that with mutual respect we can continue to prosper together," Alexander told Li. "I would like to take this time to, first introduce my delegation, second to make a request that I think will be not easy but not so hard for China to do and, third to discuss trade," Alexander said before reporters were ushered out. This summer the senator lamented the devastating effect the tariffs were having on his home state.

Chinese premier meets US lawmakers amid tensions; hope two countries can meet 'halfway'

American lawmakers recently created the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to finance infrastructure projects in low-income countries. The IDFC’s primary aim is to counter China’s growing influence, and it signals a dramatic new chapter in the fragile relationship between the US and China.

Tensions between the two countries have been high, as they struggle over trade, intellectual property rights and military control of the South China Sea. They are now also racing to connect the world by financing large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, railways and ports.

The IDFC enjoyed bipartisan support and was rushed through Congress as a matter of urgency. It was initially part of the BUILD Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate then incorporated it into the FAA Reauthorization Act and passed it by a margin of 93-6 (with one abstention). The US president, Donald Trump, signed the IDFC into law while Capitol Hill was gripped by the bitter feud over the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

The 2008 financial crisis destabilised the so-called Chimerica order of the global economy, which balanced China’s export-led growth with a period of overconsumption in the US. Following the financial crisis, the Chinese government countered slackening demand from the US by financing infrastructure projects in low-income countries.

And so over the past decade, China has quietly become a leader in the construction sector and, according to some commentators, is poised to establish a global monopoly. Indeed, its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to integrate Asia, Africa and Europe via large-scale infrastructure projects. The World Bank has even suggested that the BRI may constitute “a new approach” to development.

Infrastructure-led connectivity 
 
The BRI is consistent with a global trend to enhance infrastructure-led connectivity. This prioritises long-distance and cross-border connections and infrastructure to link resource extraction, agribusiness and manufacturing with global markets and supply chains.

In addition to the BRI, examples from low and middle-income countries include the Greater Mekong Subregion in South-East Asia, and the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), in East Africa. While enhanced connectivity can indeed foster economic growth, it can also have harmful consequences, such as in South America where the extension of infrastructure networks in remote areas has caused rapid environmental degradation.

Nevertheless, from a realpolitik perspective, whichever country funds connective infrastructure initiatives can benefit by determining how territories are integrated into the global economy. Control of overseas ports, airports, railways and roadways can enable a country to align parts of the global economy with their own.

This explains why the race to connect the world is not limited to the US and China. The European Union has launched an initiative to invest in infrastructure that enhances its connectivity with Asia. Similarly, Japan, Australia, the UK and others in the G20 are active in the Global Infrastructure Hub, which was created to encourage private investment in connective infrastructure around the world.

The US strikes back 
 
The American IDFC differs from the EU and G20 initiatives because it signals that US policymakers intend to contain rather than compete with China. It has been granted an initial budget of $60 billion to invest in infrastructure projects in low-income countries, and this is designed to “provide countries with a robust alternative to state-directed investments by authoritarian governments”.

So how does it work? The IDFC is loosely modelled on the Chinese approach to infrastructure finance. Chinese development assistance is typically bilateral and prioritises long-term political objectives over profit. This explains why China funds infrastructure projects that institutional investors in the OECD deem too risky. The US is now taking on China by allowing the IDFC to operate in a similar fashion. Unencumbered by shareholder demands, the IDFC’s mandate is “to complement and be guided by overall United States foreign policy, development, and national security objectives”. In other words, it is meant to put politics before profit.

The question is whether this strategy really will contain China’s expanding sphere of influence.

Certainly, the IDFC needs a significantly larger budget to threaten China’s growing influence. After all, China finances multiple infrastructure projects beyond the BRI. In a recent summit with African leaders in Beijing, for example, Xi Jinping committed to invest $60 billion in the continent, independent of the BRI. Furthermore, China is the largest shareholder in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and enjoys influence in the New Development Bank – both of which also pursue objectives consistent with the BRI. Multilateral investment banks such as the World Bank have also already invested in infrastructure projects that complement the BRI.

Making growth sustainable and inclusive 
 
Ultimately, then, the IDFC will be unable to limit China’s growing influence with a mere $60 billion, and China’s sphere of influence will continue to expand regardless.

But the race to connect the world is significant because it will have tremendous impacts on emerging economies that suffer from inadequate infrastructure. Indeed, this scramble between the US and China will likely accelerate economic integration in places that have historically been isolated.

Both countries prioritise geopolitical objectives over developmental outcomes, so the challenge for recipient countries is to ensure such funding and initiatives foster sustainable, inclusive growth.

Chinese investment is required by Beijing to comply with local social and environmental laws, yet many low-income countries lack strong regulations. The IDFC, meanwhile, is required to “annually evaluate and report to the Board and Congress regarding compliance with environmental, social, labor, human rights, and transparency standards”. But it is unclear what standards the IDFC will embrace in any of these fields.

The quickening race between China and the US to connect the world does present opportunities for low-income countries held back by poor infrastructure. The question is whether the “beneficiaries” can ensure that the projects are sustainable and equitable in the long-run. If they can’t, much of the infrastructure will likely just further line American and Chinese pockets.

(Seth Schindler is Senior Lecturer in Urban Development &amp; Transformation, University of Manchester; &nbsp;Juan Miguel Kanai is Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sheffield)

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/us-sparks-new-development-race-with-china-but-can-it-win-105203">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

American lawmakers recently created the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to finance infrastructure projects in low-income countries. The IDFC’s primary aim is to counter China’s growing influence, and it signals a dramatic new chapter in the fragile relationship between the US and China.

American lawmakers recently created the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC) to finance infrastructure projects in low-income countries. The IDFC’s primary aim is to counter China’s growing influence, and it signals a dramatic new chapter in the fragile relationship between the US and China. Tensions between the two countries have been high, as they struggle over trade, intellectual property rights and military control of the South China Sea. They are now also racing to connect the world by financing large-scale infrastructure projects such as highways, railways and ports. The IDFC enjoyed bipartisan support and was rushed through Congress as a matter of urgency. It was initially part of the BUILD Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives. The Senate then incorporated it into the FAA Reauthorization Act and passed it by a margin of 93-6 (with one abstention). The US president, Donald Trump, signed the IDFC into law while Capitol Hill was gripped by the bitter feud over the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The 2008 financial crisis destabilised the so-called Chimerica order of the global economy, which balanced China’s export-led growth with a period of overconsumption in the US. Following the financial crisis, the Chinese government countered slackening demand from the US by financing infrastructure projects in low-income countries. And so over the past decade, China has quietly become a leader in the construction sector and, according to some commentators, is poised to establish a global monopoly. Indeed, its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to integrate Asia, Africa and Europe via large-scale infrastructure projects. The World Bank has even suggested that the BRI may constitute “a new approach” to development. Infrastructure-led connectivity The BRI is consistent with a global trend to enhance infrastructure-led connectivity. This prioritises long-distance and cross-border connections and infrastructure to link resource extraction, agribusiness and manufacturing with global markets and supply chains. In addition to the BRI, examples from low and middle-income countries include the Greater Mekong Subregion in South-East Asia, and the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), in East Africa. While enhanced connectivity can indeed foster economic growth, it can also have harmful consequences, such as in South America where the extension of infrastructure networks in remote areas has caused rapid environmental degradation. Nevertheless, from a realpolitik perspective, whichever country funds connective infrastructure initiatives can benefit by determining how territories are integrated into the global economy. Control of overseas ports, airports, railways and roadways can enable a country to align parts of the global economy with their own. This explains why the race to connect the world is not limited to the US and China. The European Union has launched an initiative to invest in infrastructure that enhances its connectivity with Asia. Similarly, Japan, Australia, the UK and others in the G20 are active in the Global Infrastructure Hub, which was created to encourage private investment in connective infrastructure around the world. The US strikes back The American IDFC differs from the EU and G20 initiatives because it signals that US policymakers intend to contain rather than compete with China. It has been granted an initial budget of $60 billion to invest in infrastructure projects in low-income countries, and this is designed to “provide countries with a robust alternative to state-directed investments by authoritarian governments”. So how does it work? The IDFC is loosely modelled on the Chinese approach to infrastructure finance. Chinese development assistance is typically bilateral and prioritises long-term political objectives over profit. This explains why China funds infrastructure projects that institutional investors in the OECD deem too risky. The US is now taking on China by allowing the IDFC to operate in a similar fashion. Unencumbered by shareholder demands, the IDFC’s mandate is “to complement and be guided by overall United States foreign policy, development, and national security objectives”. In other words, it is meant to put politics before profit. The question is whether this strategy really will contain China’s expanding sphere of influence. Certainly, the IDFC needs a significantly larger budget to threaten China’s growing influence. After all, China finances multiple infrastructure projects beyond the BRI. In a recent summit with African leaders in Beijing, for example, Xi Jinping committed to invest $60 billion in the continent, independent of the BRI. Furthermore, China is the largest shareholder in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and enjoys influence in the New Development Bank – both of which also pursue objectives consistent with the BRI. Multilateral investment banks such as the World Bank have also already invested in infrastructure projects that complement the BRI. Making growth sustainable and inclusive Ultimately, then, the IDFC will be unable to limit China’s growing influence with a mere $60 billion, and China’s sphere of influence will continue to expand regardless. But the race to connect the world is significant because it will have tremendous impacts on emerging economies that suffer from inadequate infrastructure. Indeed, this scramble between the US and China will likely accelerate economic integration in places that have historically been isolated. Both countries prioritise geopolitical objectives over developmental outcomes, so the challenge for recipient countries is to ensure such funding and initiatives foster sustainable, inclusive growth. Chinese investment is required by Beijing to comply with local social and environmental laws, yet many low-income countries lack strong regulations. The IDFC, meanwhile, is required to “annually evaluate and report to the Board and Congress regarding compliance with environmental, social, labor, human rights, and transparency standards”. But it is unclear what standards the IDFC will embrace in any of these fields. The quickening race between China and the US to connect the world does present opportunities for low-income countries held back by poor infrastructure. The question is whether the “beneficiaries” can ensure that the projects are sustainable and equitable in the long-run. If they can’t, much of the infrastructure will likely just further line American and Chinese pockets. (Seth Schindler is Senior Lecturer in Urban Development & Transformation, University of Manchester; Juan Miguel Kanai is Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Sheffield) (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US sparks new development race with China – but can it win?

The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia.

Risks of chance encounters between military aircraft spiralling out of control have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes ever more assertive in the South China Sea, stoking tensions with rival claimants in Southeast Asia.

While not a claimant, Washington has also been drawn into the row as it has traditionally been the dominant naval and air power in the Asia-Pacific.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to guidelines on managing air encounters on Friday, at the annual meeting of the 10-member bloc's defence ministers.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe were among eight defence chiefs from outside ASEAN to give their "in-principle" backing to the guidelines, a joint ministerial statement said.

India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have also given broad backing to the new framework, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said.

Any incident involving military jets can lead to a "cascade of activities that you cannot control," warned Ng, who hosted the meetings.

"You can have a gung-ho pilot who switches off everything and decides 'I'm going to intimidate,'" he told reporters.

"That would be a disaster."

The guidelines set norms of behaviour for pilots to prevent untoward encounters. These include always having two-way communications open and adhering to existing aviation conventions.

The new rules follow similar guidelines already in place to prevent naval vessels from unintended mishaps at sea.

Early last year, a Chinese warplane buzzed a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, with the US claiming their plane was in international air space.

In 2016, a Chinese fighter aircraft also intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the sea.

Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have conflicting claims in the South China Sea with Beijing.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, including waters near the shores of smaller countries.

The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia.

The United States, China and several other countries on Saturday agreed in principle to guidelines on preventing unplanned warplane encounters, the latest effort to avoid military confrontations in Asia. Risks of chance encounters between military aircraft spiralling out of control have risen in recent years as Beijing becomes ever more assertive in the South China Sea, stoking tensions with rival claimants in Southeast Asia. While not a claimant, Washington has also been drawn into the row as it has traditionally been the dominant naval and air power in the Asia-Pacific. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to guidelines on managing air encounters on Friday, at the annual meeting of the 10-member bloc's defence ministers. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe were among eight defence chiefs from outside ASEAN to give their "in-principle" backing to the guidelines, a joint ministerial statement said. India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have also given broad backing to the new framework, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said. Any incident involving military jets can lead to a "cascade of activities that you cannot control," warned Ng, who hosted the meetings. "You can have a gung-ho pilot who switches off everything and decides 'I'm going to intimidate,'" he told reporters. "That would be a disaster." The guidelines set norms of behaviour for pilots to prevent untoward encounters. These include always having two-way communications open and adhering to existing aviation conventions. The new rules follow similar guidelines already in place to prevent naval vessels from unintended mishaps at sea. Early last year, a Chinese warplane buzzed a US Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, with the US claiming their plane was in international air space. In 2016, a Chinese fighter aircraft also intercepted a US Navy surveillance plane over the sea. Four ASEAN members -- Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam -- have conflicting claims in the South China Sea with Beijing. China claims sovereignty over almost the entire area, including waters near the shores of smaller countries.

US, China back military air rules to avoid mishaps

Beijing is not a currency manipulator but China's exchange rate practices and the yuan's recent decline are of "particular concern," US Treasury Steven Mnuchin said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/full-blown-us-china-trade-war-will-slow-global-growth-by-less-than-1-imf-170313">Also Read:&nbsp;Full-blown US-China trade war will slow global growth by less than 1%, declares&nbsp;IMF</a>

In putting Beijing and five other US trading partners on notice, the Treasury again refrained from escalating a fight over China's currency as US President&nbsp;Trump had once pledged to do on the campaign trail.

"Of particular concern are China's lack of currency transparency and the recent weakness in its currency," Mnuchin said in releasing a twice-yearly report to Congress on how country's manage exchange rates and trade.

"These pose major challenges to achieving fairer and more balanced trade and we will continue to monitor and review China's currency practices, including through ongoing discussions with the People's Bank of China."

Washington has long argued that China keeps its currency artificially low to make its exports more competitive but in recent years the yuan or renminbi (RMB) has strengthened and is viewed by economists as more in line with economic fundamentals.

Still, as US interest rates have risen, the US dollar has strengthened further, which makes American exports more expensive.

Washington and Beijing are locked in a&nbsp;battle over the yawning US-China trade deficit, which Trump describes as a "job killer".&nbsp;

Washington has slapped punishing tariffs on about half of all China's goods exports to the United States, with talks to resolve the matter at an apparent impasse.

Trump in April 2017 dropped his campaign pledge to label Beijing a currency manipulator, telling The Wall Street Journal that Beijing was not intervening to weaken its currency.

Beijing is not a currency manipulator but China's exchange rate practices and the yuan's recent decline are of "particular concern," US Treasury Steven Mnuchin said.

Beijing is not a currency manipulator but China's exchange rate practices and the yuan's recent decline are of "particular concern," US Treasury Steven Mnuchin said. Also Read: Full-blown US-China trade war will slow global growth by less than 1%, declares IMF In putting Beijing and five other US trading partners on notice, the Treasury again refrained from escalating a fight over China's currency as US President Trump had once pledged to do on the campaign trail. "Of particular concern are China's lack of currency transparency and the recent weakness in its currency," Mnuchin said in releasing a twice-yearly report to Congress on how country's manage exchange rates and trade. "These pose major challenges to achieving fairer and more balanced trade and we will continue to monitor and review China's currency practices, including through ongoing discussions with the People's Bank of China." Washington has long argued that China keeps its currency artificially low to make its exports more competitive but in recent years the yuan or renminbi (RMB) has strengthened and is viewed by economists as more in line with economic fundamentals. Still, as US interest rates have risen, the US dollar has strengthened further, which makes American exports more expensive. Washington and Beijing are locked in a battle over the yawning US-China trade deficit, which Trump describes as a "job killer". Washington has slapped punishing tariffs on about half of all China's goods exports to the United States, with talks to resolve the matter at an apparent impasse. Trump in April 2017 dropped his campaign pledge to label Beijing a currency manipulator, telling The Wall Street Journal that Beijing was not intervening to weaken its currency.

Concerned over China's lack of currency transparency: US

The United State remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-be-intimidated-south-china-sea-us-vp-pence-tell-china-169406">We will not be intimidated in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-be-intimidated-south-china-sea-us-vp-pence-tell-china-169406">South</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-not-be-intimidated-south-china-sea-us-vp-pence-tell-china-169406"> China Sea, says US VP Pence to tell China</a>

"We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea. Plus, we look at what we consider to be almost predatory -- in some cases certainly predatory economic behaviour...," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Vietnam.

Referring to the major policy speech of vice-president Mike Pence last week, Mattis said the Trump administration seeks a relationship with China that's grounded in fairness, reciprocity and respect for sovereignty. That means respect for international rules and for all nations' sovereignty, whether they're large or small, he said.

"So, we're two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There's going to be times we step on each other's toes, so we're going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship. And the military relationship is to be a stabilising force in the relations between the two countries," Mattis said.

Responding to a question, Mattis said the US is not looking for a confrontation with China. "We are not seeing a more military, confrontational approach vis-a-vis China," he said when asked about the recent incident involving Americans and the Chinese in the South China Sea.

"In the South China Sea, over many American administrations, we have said that in international airspace, international waters, we will fly or sail. You've seen that continue. And my relationship with my counterpart has in no way changed over this," he said.

Mattis said that Pence in his speech reiterated the position that US will cooperate with China where it can.&nbsp;

"We are looking for ways to cooperate more. We've seen that cooperation manifested in the most blunt terms with three unanimous UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions on North Korea, and that's where we're voting in alignment with each other," he said.

"And then you're seeing, too, that we continue to sail through areas, but even if you go back to when President Obama and President Xi were meeting in the Rose Garden, President Xi vowed that he would not militarise the Spratly Islands for example. That happened, but our policy has not changed, we do not accept that. So no one nation can change the international rules of the road," he asserted.

Mattis argued that there is no increase in military confrontation, but it is a continuation of a longstanding American policy: international rule of law, prosperity for all nations, sail wherever they wish in international waters, and respect the sovereignty of all nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through international tribunals.

After Vietnam, Mattis would travel to Singapore to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers meeting.&nbsp;

The United State remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday.

The United State remains highly concerned with China's continued militarisation in the South China Sea and its predatory economic behaviour, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said Monday. We will not be intimidated in South China Sea, says US VP Pence to tell China "We remain highly concerned with continued militarisation of features in the South China Sea. Plus, we look at what we consider to be almost predatory -- in some cases certainly predatory economic behaviour...," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Vietnam. Referring to the major policy speech of vice-president Mike Pence last week, Mattis said the Trump administration seeks a relationship with China that's grounded in fairness, reciprocity and respect for sovereignty. That means respect for international rules and for all nations' sovereignty, whether they're large or small, he said. "So, we're two large powers, or two Pacific powers, two economic powers. There's going to be times we step on each other's toes, so we're going to have to find a way to productively manage our relationship. And the military relationship is to be a stabilising force in the relations between the two countries," Mattis said. Responding to a question, Mattis said the US is not looking for a confrontation with China. "We are not seeing a more military, confrontational approach vis-a-vis China," he said when asked about the recent incident involving Americans and the Chinese in the South China Sea. "In the South China Sea, over many American administrations, we have said that in international airspace, international waters, we will fly or sail. You've seen that continue. And my relationship with my counterpart has in no way changed over this," he said. Mattis said that Pence in his speech reiterated the position that US will cooperate with China where it can. "We are looking for ways to cooperate more. We've seen that cooperation manifested in the most blunt terms with three unanimous UN Security Council resolutions on sanctions on North Korea, and that's where we're voting in alignment with each other," he said. "And then you're seeing, too, that we continue to sail through areas, but even if you go back to when President Obama and President Xi were meeting in the Rose Garden, President Xi vowed that he would not militarise the Spratly Islands for example. That happened, but our policy has not changed, we do not accept that. So no one nation can change the international rules of the road," he asserted. Mattis argued that there is no increase in military confrontation, but it is a continuation of a longstanding American policy: international rule of law, prosperity for all nations, sail wherever they wish in international waters, and respect the sovereignty of all nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through international tribunals. After Vietnam, Mattis would travel to Singapore to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers meeting.

Concerned over South China Sea militarisation but don't see confrontation with China: Mattis

What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it could not happen. Maybe the deal now leans more in America’s direction, but Trump has also given something away: The right of Mexico and Canada to sell their trucks and cars more easily in the US. He said he’s a great “deal-maker”, and so this time he is.

His trade tussle with China, which looks to be a stand-off at the moment, has not yet led to a breakdown in relations. Trump has been more than careful to keep direct channels open to President Xi Jinping, even if in early October he became more openly critical and personal. He has treated Xi much better than he treated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.

Nevertheless, the fact is the Chinese have taken advantage of the US, ignoring its copyrights, blatantly reverse engineering expensive US products and subsidising exports. Trump goes too far with his demands, but he is on firm enough ground to force the Chinese to re-think some of their policies. He’s making progress.

Likewise, while being tough on Russia, ratcheting up sanctions, sending modern arms to Ukraine, increasing defence spending and standing back from the cuts in nuclear weapons that President Vladimir Putin has suggested, he keeps his personal channels open to Putin, unlike President Barack Obama. Later he may reap the harvest of this. Russian politics is very personal under Putin.

With North Korea, he appears to have flattered President Kim Jong-un to the point where Kim shows his constructive side to Trump. Progress is being made on nuclear disarmament even if it’s not at the rate the foreign policy establishment wants.

Nevertheless, for all this, the fact is that Trump is a man with an ugly personality, as ugly in its way as Kim. Sometimes one can imagine, if he wasn’t constrained by law, he would execute some of his enemies as Kim has done.

His staff find he’s impossible to deal with although he gets important things done.

After reading Bob Woodward’s new book Fear: Trump in the White House, one realises that Woodward gives little space to Trump’s achievements, and his interviews and re-creations of real-life scenes are nearly all orientated in a critical direction.

Woodward has painted a picture of a sordid man, full of quite disgusting profanities and untruths that he aims at his staff and many of those who do business with him with hourly regularity. (If the women in his “base” could hear these, many would be shocked).

It’s a fine book, researched in the most intimate and thorough way. One doesn’t doubt its veracity. Quite a bit of it we have read in the newspapers already over the last two years, but even then Woodward gets deeper inside the man, the policy-making, and how it’s implemented. He’s the best fly on the wall anyone could ask for.

There are, too, whole chapters where Woodward writes about startling things we’ve not known about. Again and again, in order to keep the US on a sensible course in its policies for trade, foreign relations and financial affairs, his staff have to secretly remove from his desk papers waiting to be signed. This choleric man is so seized up by the next crisis or what appears as an affront that he forgets he asked for them.

Time and time again, his staff are courageous, offering the president clever analysis, despite his constant put downs. He tells them it’s bullshit and that he’s held his views on this or that for over 30 years and he’s not going to change. Amazingly, they argue back, and he lets them — up to a point. In his way, he accepts a lot of talk-back and even verbal insubordination, but then gives the staffer hell.

There is insubordination behind his back, too. On one occasion, when discussing President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Trump said to General James Mattis, the Defence Secretary, “Let’s go in, let’s fucking kill him.” “Yes”, Mattis said, “I will get right on it.” He hung up the phone. “We’re not going to do any of that,” he told a senior aide.

When the North Korea crisis first blew up, Mattis made it clear he didn’t want war. His view was that North Korea could be contained.

Ironically, as with North Korea latterly, Trump in some areas of policy can have non-warlike instincts. He argued hard with the military until they persuaded him otherwise, that the US should totally withdraw from Afghanistan.

Where this story ends nobody knows. Woodward for one doesn’t advocate impeachment but by the end of the book it hangs in the air. Who really wants such a volatile, unhinged and amoral man to have his finger on the nuclear button?

(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-notoriously-difficult-to-deal-with-trump-gets-work-done-2675381">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it could not happen.

What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it could not happen. Maybe the deal now leans more in America’s direction, but Trump has also given something away: The right of Mexico and Canada to sell their trucks and cars more easily in the US. He said he’s a great “deal-maker”, and so this time he is. His trade tussle with China, which looks to be a stand-off at the moment, has not yet led to a breakdown in relations. Trump has been more than careful to keep direct channels open to President Xi Jinping, even if in early October he became more openly critical and personal. He has treated Xi much better than he treated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada. Nevertheless, the fact is the Chinese have taken advantage of the US, ignoring its copyrights, blatantly reverse engineering expensive US products and subsidising exports. Trump goes too far with his demands, but he is on firm enough ground to force the Chinese to re-think some of their policies. He’s making progress. Likewise, while being tough on Russia, ratcheting up sanctions, sending modern arms to Ukraine, increasing defence spending and standing back from the cuts in nuclear weapons that President Vladimir Putin has suggested, he keeps his personal channels open to Putin, unlike President Barack Obama. Later he may reap the harvest of this. Russian politics is very personal under Putin. With North Korea, he appears to have flattered President Kim Jong-un to the point where Kim shows his constructive side to Trump. Progress is being made on nuclear disarmament even if it’s not at the rate the foreign policy establishment wants. Nevertheless, for all this, the fact is that Trump is a man with an ugly personality, as ugly in its way as Kim. Sometimes one can imagine, if he wasn’t constrained by law, he would execute some of his enemies as Kim has done. His staff find he’s impossible to deal with although he gets important things done. After reading Bob Woodward’s new book Fear: Trump in the White House, one realises that Woodward gives little space to Trump’s achievements, and his interviews and re-creations of real-life scenes are nearly all orientated in a critical direction. Woodward has painted a picture of a sordid man, full of quite disgusting profanities and untruths that he aims at his staff and many of those who do business with him with hourly regularity. (If the women in his “base” could hear these, many would be shocked). It’s a fine book, researched in the most intimate and thorough way. One doesn’t doubt its veracity. Quite a bit of it we have read in the newspapers already over the last two years, but even then Woodward gets deeper inside the man, the policy-making, and how it’s implemented. He’s the best fly on the wall anyone could ask for. There are, too, whole chapters where Woodward writes about startling things we’ve not known about. Again and again, in order to keep the US on a sensible course in its policies for trade, foreign relations and financial affairs, his staff have to secretly remove from his desk papers waiting to be signed. This choleric man is so seized up by the next crisis or what appears as an affront that he forgets he asked for them. Time and time again, his staff are courageous, offering the president clever analysis, despite his constant put downs. He tells them it’s bullshit and that he’s held his views on this or that for over 30 years and he’s not going to change. Amazingly, they argue back, and he lets them — up to a point. In his way, he accepts a lot of talk-back and even verbal insubordination, but then gives the staffer hell. There is insubordination behind his back, too. On one occasion, when discussing President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Trump said to General James Mattis, the Defence Secretary, “Let’s go in, let’s fucking kill him.” “Yes”, Mattis said, “I will get right on it.” He hung up the phone. “We’re not going to do any of that,” he told a senior aide. When the North Korea crisis first blew up, Mattis made it clear he didn’t want war. His view was that North Korea could be contained. Ironically, as with North Korea latterly, Trump in some areas of policy can have non-warlike instincts. He argued hard with the military until they persuaded him otherwise, that the US should totally withdraw from Afghanistan. Where this story ends nobody knows. Woodward for one doesn’t advocate impeachment but by the end of the book it hangs in the air. Who really wants such a volatile, unhinged and amoral man to have his finger on the nuclear button? (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Notoriously difficult to deal with, Trump gets work done

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military calls a "freedom of navigation operation" Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands.

The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass.

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it.&nbsp;

Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands.

During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in "an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said.

The Chinese ship then conducted a series of "increasingly aggressive manoeuvres, and warned the Decatur to depart the area," he added.

The Chinese "destroyer approached within 45 yards (meters) of Decatur's bow, after which Decatur manoeuvred to prevent a collision."

In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had "given a warning to leave" to the vessel after it entered the area "without permission."

"The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea," it said.

The behaviour "gravely threatens China's sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability."

US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017.

A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province.

Washington last week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports.

China has taken a series of retaliatory measures, including scrapping a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelling a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart.

On Monday, a US defence official said that security talks due to take place later this month in Beijing between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart had been cancelled.

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday.

A Chinese warship sailed within yards of an American destroyer -- forcing it to change course -- in an "unsafe and unprofessional" encounter as the US vessel was in contested waters in the South China Sea, an official said Monday. The USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer was conducting what the military calls a "freedom of navigation operation" Sunday, when it passed within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson reefs in the remote Spratly Islands. The 12-mile distance is commonly accepted as constituting the territorial waters of a landmass. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, though Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing claims all of the Spratlys and has built a number of military installations on the islands. During the operation, a Chinese Luyang destroyer approached the USS Decatur in "an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre in the vicinity of Gaven Reef in the South China Sea," US Pacific Fleet spokesman Commander Nate Christensen said. The Chinese ship then conducted a series of "increasingly aggressive manoeuvres, and warned the Decatur to depart the area," he added. The Chinese "destroyer approached within 45 yards (meters) of Decatur's bow, after which Decatur manoeuvred to prevent a collision." In a statement, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said that its ship had "given a warning to leave" to the vessel after it entered the area "without permission." "The US has repeatedly sent warships into the territorial waters near Chinese reefs and islands in the South China Sea," it said. The behaviour "gravely threatens China's sovereignty and security, gravely damages relations between China and the US and their militaries, and gravely injures regional peace and stability." US-Chinese relations have been strained on multiple levels since Donald Trump became president in 2017. A trade war launched by Trump has infuriated Beijing, as did his authorization of a $1.3 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which China considers a rebel province. Washington last week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports. China has taken a series of retaliatory measures, including scrapping a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelling a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart. On Monday, a US defence official said that security talks due to take place later this month in Beijing between Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and his Chinese counterpart had been cancelled.

Chinese destroyer extremely close to US warship: US

The Chinese defence ministry on Thursday denounced flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea and East China Sea as "provocative" actions amid soaring tensions between the two global powers.

The Pentagon said Wednesday the heavy bombers had taken part in a combined operation with Japan over the East China Sea and had flown through international airspace over the South China Sea a day before.

"Regarding the provocative actions of US military aircraft in the South China Sea, we are always resolutely opposed to them, and will continue to take necessary measures in order to strongly handle (this issue)," Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang told a monthly news briefing.&nbsp;

China has claimed large swaths of the strategic waterway and built up a series of islands and maritime features, turning them into military facilities.

Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to the region, and an international maritime tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's claims have no legal basis.

Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn said this week's flights were part of "regularly scheduled operations."

The United States rejects China's territorial claims and routinely says the military will "continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows at times and places of our choosing."

Washington this week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports while it last week sanctioned a Chinese military organisation for buying Russian weapons.&nbsp;

China has reacted angrily, and this week scrapped a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelled a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he was not concerned the US transit flights would increase tensions with China.

"If it was 20 years ago and they have not militarised those features there, it would have just been another bomber on its way to Diego Garcia or whatever," he told Pentagon reporters, referring to the US military base in the Indian Ocean.

"So there's nothing out of the ordinary about it, nor about our ships sailing through there."

The Pentagon chief went on to say there is no "fundamental shift in anything."

"We're just going through one of those periodic points where we've got to learn to manage our differences," he said.

The Chinese defence ministry on Thursday denounced flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea and East China Sea as "provocative" actions amid soaring tensions between the two global powers.

The Chinese defence ministry on Thursday denounced flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea and East China Sea as "provocative" actions amid soaring tensions between the two global powers. The Pentagon said Wednesday the heavy bombers had taken part in a combined operation with Japan over the East China Sea and had flown through international airspace over the South China Sea a day before. "Regarding the provocative actions of US military aircraft in the South China Sea, we are always resolutely opposed to them, and will continue to take necessary measures in order to strongly handle (this issue)," Chinese defence ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang told a monthly news briefing. China has claimed large swaths of the strategic waterway and built up a series of islands and maritime features, turning them into military facilities. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims to the region, and an international maritime tribunal ruled in 2016 that China's claims have no legal basis. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Dave Eastburn said this week's flights were part of "regularly scheduled operations." The United States rejects China's territorial claims and routinely says the military will "continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows at times and places of our choosing." Washington this week enacted new tariffs against China covering another $200 billion of its imports while it last week sanctioned a Chinese military organisation for buying Russian weapons. China has reacted angrily, and this week scrapped a US warship's planned port visit to Hong Kong and cancelled a meeting between the head of the Chinese navy and his American counterpart. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said he was not concerned the US transit flights would increase tensions with China. "If it was 20 years ago and they have not militarised those features there, it would have just been another bomber on its way to Diego Garcia or whatever," he told Pentagon reporters, referring to the US military base in the Indian Ocean. "So there's nothing out of the ordinary about it, nor about our ships sailing through there." The Pentagon chief went on to say there is no "fundamental shift in anything." "We're just going through one of those periodic points where we've got to learn to manage our differences," he said.

China denounces flyovers by US B-52 bombers over the South China Sea 

The US State Department today issued a <a href="http://wionews.com/world/china-says-no-clue-on-mystery-illness-striking-us-diplomats-142906">health warning in China after recalling several diplomats </a>over mysterious illness&nbsp;that has already hit US diplomats in Cuba.

The warning issued this time was for the<a href="http://wionews.com/world/diplomats-brought-back-from-china-due-to-mystery-illness-us-142708"> entire Chinese region after a previous</a> warning last month had mentioned China's southern city of Guangzhou.

"The State Department received medical confirmation that a US government employee in China suffered a medical incident consistent with what other US government personnel experienced in Havana, Cuba," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

On Wednesday, the US had called back several diplomats in China after they "suffered a medical incident". The US government also deployed a team in the consulate to screen employees and family members of diplomats.

Apart from Beijing, the US has consulates in other Chinese cities namely Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan.

The statement by Pompeo warned of &nbsp;"unexplained physical symptoms or events, auditory or sensory phenomena", and said symptoms included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints, hearing loss and sleeping difficulty.

China's foreign office spokesman&nbsp;Hua Chunying said the US government had not made any formal communication on new cases, adding that it had investigated other cases and found no clues.

Last year, 24 US government employees and family members in Cuba displayed systems which suggested concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department.

China's foreign office spokesman Hua Chunying the US government had not made any formal communication on new cases

The US State Department today issued a health warning in China after recalling several diplomats over mysterious illness that has already hit US diplomats in Cuba. The warning issued this time was for the entire Chinese region after a previous warning last month had mentioned China's southern city of Guangzhou. "The State Department received medical confirmation that a US government employee in China suffered a medical incident consistent with what other US government personnel experienced in Havana, Cuba," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. On Wednesday, the US had called back several diplomats in China after they "suffered a medical incident". The US government also deployed a team in the consulate to screen employees and family members of diplomats. Apart from Beijing, the US has consulates in other Chinese cities namely Chengdu, Shanghai, Shenyang and Wuhan. The statement by Pompeo warned of "unexplained physical symptoms or events, auditory or sensory phenomena", and said symptoms included dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, fatigue, cognitive issues, visual problems, ear complaints, hearing loss and sleeping difficulty. China's foreign office spokesman Hua Chunying said the US government had not made any formal communication on new cases, adding that it had investigated other cases and found no clues. Last year, 24 US government employees and family members in Cuba displayed systems which suggested concussion and mild traumatic brain injury, according to the State Department.

US issues health warning in China after diplomats hit with mystery illness

China warned the United States on Sunday that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing.

A short statement, carried by the official Xinhua news agency, made no mention of any specific new agreements after US&nbspCommerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

It referred instead to a consensus they reached last month in Washington, when China agreed to significantly increase its purchases of US&nbspgoods and services.

"The two sides had good communication about implementing the consensus reached in Washington and on many areas such as agriculture and energy, achieving positive and concrete progress," the state news agency said, adding details would be subject to "final confirmation by both parties".

The United States and China have threatened tit-for-tat tariffs on goods worth up to $150 billion each.

Xinhua said China's attitude has been consistent, which is that it is willing to increase imports from all countries, including the United States.

"Reform and opening up and expanding domestic demand are China's national strategies. Our established rhythm will not change," it added.

"The achievements reached by China and the United States should be based on the premise that the two sides should meet each other halfway and not fight a trade war," Xinhua said.

"If the United States introduces trade sanctions including tariffs, all the economic and trade achievements negotiated by the two parties will be void."

There was no immediate comment or statement from the US&nbspdelegation or from Ross himself.

At the end of last month's Washington talks the two countries put out a joint statement.

But just when it appeared a trade truce between the two economic heavyweights was on the cards, the White House last week warned it would pursue tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, as well as impose restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and tighter export controls.

Ross arrived in Beijing on Saturday for talks after the Trump administration renewed tariff threats against China, and with key US&nbspallies in a foul mood towards Washington after they were hit with duties on steel and aluminium.

<a href="wionews.com/world/frank-trade-discussions-in-beijing-us-commerce-secretary-141888">Friendly and frank</a>

Addressing Liu earlier in the day, Ross praised the tone of their interactions.

"Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items," Ross said, in brief comments before reporters.

Liu spoke only to welcome Ross.

Neither man has made any other comments to the media.

Ross is expected to leave Beijing later on Sunday.

Liu, a Harvard-trained economist who is a trusted confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is China's chief negotiator in the trade dispute.

US&nbspTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday the United States wanted this weekend's talks to result in structural changes to China's economy, in addition to increased Chinese purchases of American goods.

The purchases are partly aimed at shrinking the $375 billion US&nbspgoods trade deficit with China.

Mnuchin, speaking at a G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada where he was the target of US&nbspallies' anger over steel and aluminium tariffs, said the China talks would cover other issues, including the Trump administration's desire to eliminate Chinese joint venture requirements and other policies that effectively force technology transfers.

"I want to be clear, this isn't just about buying more goods, this is about structural changes," Mnuchin said.

"But I also fundamentally believe that if there are structural changes that allow our companies to compete fairly, by definition, that will deal with the trade deficit alone."

The US&nbspdelegation at the Beijing talks included Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs David Malpass, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, and United States Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud.

Other officials and technical experts from the Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury, United States Trade Representative, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy also took part, the White House said.

China's delegation included central bank governor Yi Gang, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, and Ning Jizhe, a deputy head of the powerful planning body the National Development and Reform Commission.

Ross, who was preceded in Beijing last week by more than 50 US&nbspofficials, is expected during the two-day visit to try to secure long-term purchases of US&nbspfarm and energy commodities to help shrink the US&nbsptrade deficit.

The US&nbspteam also wants to secure greater intellectual property protection and an end to Chinese subsidies that have contributed to overproduction of steel and aluminium.

China warned the United States on Sunday that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing

China warned the United States on Sunday that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing. A short statement, carried by the official Xinhua news agency, made no mention of any specific new agreements after US&nbspCommerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. It referred instead to a consensus they reached last month in Washington, when China agreed to significantly increase its purchases of US&nbspgoods and services. "The two sides had good communication about implementing the consensus reached in Washington and on many areas such as agriculture and energy, achieving positive and concrete progress," the state news agency said, adding details would be subject to "final confirmation by both parties". The United States and China have threatened tit-for-tat tariffs on goods worth up to $150 billion each. Xinhua said China's attitude has been consistent, which is that it is willing to increase imports from all countries, including the United States. "Reform and opening up and expanding domestic demand are China's national strategies. Our established rhythm will not change," it added. "The achievements reached by China and the United States should be based on the premise that the two sides should meet each other halfway and not fight a trade war," Xinhua said. "If the United States introduces trade sanctions including tariffs, all the economic and trade achievements negotiated by the two parties will be void." There was no immediate comment or statement from the US&nbspdelegation or from Ross himself. At the end of last month's Washington talks the two countries put out a joint statement. But just when it appeared a trade truce between the two economic heavyweights was on the cards, the White House last week warned it would pursue tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports, as well as impose restrictions on Chinese investments in the United States and tighter export controls. Ross arrived in Beijing on Saturday for talks after the Trump administration renewed tariff threats against China, and with key US&nbspallies in a foul mood towards Washington after they were hit with duties on steel and aluminium. Friendly and frank Addressing Liu earlier in the day, Ross praised the tone of their interactions. "Our meetings so far have been friendly and frank, and covered some useful topics about specific export items," Ross said, in brief comments before reporters. Liu spoke only to welcome Ross. Neither man has made any other comments to the media. Ross is expected to leave Beijing later on Sunday. Liu, a Harvard-trained economist who is a trusted confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is China's chief negotiator in the trade dispute. US&nbspTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday the United States wanted this weekend's talks to result in structural changes to China's economy, in addition to increased Chinese purchases of American goods. The purchases are partly aimed at shrinking the $375 billion US&nbspgoods trade deficit with China. Mnuchin, speaking at a G7 finance leaders meeting in Canada where he was the target of US&nbspallies' anger over steel and aluminium tariffs, said the China talks would cover other issues, including the Trump administration's desire to eliminate Chinese joint venture requirements and other policies that effectively force technology transfers. "I want to be clear, this isn't just about buying more goods, this is about structural changes," Mnuchin said. "But I also fundamentally believe that if there are structural changes that allow our companies to compete fairly, by definition, that will deal with the trade deficit alone." The US&nbspdelegation at the Beijing talks included Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs David Malpass, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, and United States Trade Representative Chief Agricultural Negotiator Gregg Doud. Other officials and technical experts from the Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury, United States Trade Representative, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy also took part, the White House said. China's delegation included central bank governor Yi Gang, Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, and Ning Jizhe, a deputy head of the powerful planning body the National Development and Reform Commission. Ross, who was preceded in Beijing last week by more than 50 US&nbspofficials, is expected during the two-day visit to try to secure long-term purchases of US&nbspfarm and energy commodities to help shrink the US&nbsptrade deficit. The US&nbspteam also wants to secure greater intellectual property protection and an end to Chinese subsidies that have contributed to overproduction of steel and aluminium.

China warns US won't get trade benefits if tariffs implemented as talks end

As tensions between US and China escalate <a href="http://wionews.com/world/philippines-says-ready-for-war-if-troops-harmed-in-disputed-south-china-sea-140935">over military drills in the South China Sea</a>, Lt. General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the US Joint Staff, said the US has a&nbsp;lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands.

"I would just say that the United States military's had a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands," Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr said.&nbsp;

The general referring to the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/want-to-see-freedom-of-navigation-so-will-continue-operations-in-south-china-sea-us-140778">World War II campaign when the</a> US forces freed pacific islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa from the Japanese army, added that, "One shouldn't read anything more into that than a simple statement of historical fact."

In keeping with its larger foreign policy interests in the Pacific, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis met with &nbsp;Vietnam's Defence Minister, Ngô Xuân Lịch, on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in order to reinforce Vietnam's "sovereignty over its own future".

China and the US have been trading barbs over the South China Sea conducting military drills close to disputed waters. The islands which have a significant strategic advantage are claimed by China, which is also contested by other countries in the region namely - Indonesia, &nbsp;Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The US has stationed two fleets in the Western Pacific with South China becoming a major flashpoint between China and the US. China has been bringing up artificial islands in the area, claiming it as their own complete with airstrips and surveillance equipment scaring other countries in the region.

The US aircraft carriers with F-18 Hornet, guided missiles and helicopters have been conducting sorties in the South China Sea while keeping a tab on the Chinese Air Force.

China for its part hit out against the US policy in the South China Sea saying, "who is really promoting 'militarisation' in the South China Sea? You can sharpen your eyes, and the answer is there without saying."&nbsp;

"Some people of the United States are hyping up the so-called China's 'militarization' in the South China Sea," the Chinese spokesman said, adding that it was like a thief is crying 'stop thief'.

"Is the freedom of navigation endowed by the international law really what the United States wants, or the 'freedom of rampage' in its dictionary of hegemony?," the Chinese spokesman asserted.

<iframe allow="autoplay encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gznb02wsdhk" width="560"></iframe>

The US has stationed two fleets in the Western Pacific with South China becoming a major flashpoint between China and the US.

As tensions between US and China escalate over military drills in the South China Sea, Lt. General Kenneth McKenzie, director of the US Joint Staff, said the US has a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands. "I would just say that the United States military's had a lot of experience in the Western Pacific taking down small islands," Lieutenant General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr said. The general referring to the World War II campaign when the US forces freed pacific islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa from the Japanese army, added that, "One shouldn't read anything more into that than a simple statement of historical fact." In keeping with its larger foreign policy interests in the Pacific, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis met with Vietnam's Defence Minister, Ngô Xuân Lịch, on the sidelines of the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore in order to reinforce Vietnam's "sovereignty over its own future". China and the US have been trading barbs over the South China Sea conducting military drills close to disputed waters. The islands which have a significant strategic advantage are claimed by China, which is also contested by other countries in the region namely - Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. The US has stationed two fleets in the Western Pacific with South China becoming a major flashpoint between China and the US. China has been bringing up artificial islands in the area, claiming it as their own complete with airstrips and surveillance equipment scaring other countries in the region. The US aircraft carriers with F-18 Hornet, guided missiles and helicopters have been conducting sorties in the South China Sea while keeping a tab on the Chinese Air Force. China for its part hit out against the US policy in the South China Sea saying, "who is really promoting 'militarisation' in the South China Sea? You can sharpen your eyes, and the answer is there without saying." "Some people of the United States are hyping up the so-called China's 'militarization' in the South China Sea," the Chinese spokesman said, adding that it was like a thief is crying 'stop thief'. "Is the freedom of navigation endowed by the international law really what the United States wants, or the 'freedom of rampage' in its dictionary of hegemony?," the Chinese spokesman asserted.

South China Sea row: US has lots of experience in 'taking down small islands' in Western Pacific, says US general

&nbsp;China has found no clues to explain what happened to an American citizen working at a US&nbsp;consulate who reported suffering from " l" sounds and pressure leading to a mild brain injury, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

The US&nbsp;embassy, which issued a health alert on Wednesday to Americans living in China, said it could not link the case to health problems suffered by US&nbsp;government staff in Cuba dating back to late 2016.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has always safeguarded the security of foreign organisations and personnel of foreign countries, including the United States, according to the Vienna convention.

"China has already conducted an earnest investigation and we have also given initial feedback to the US&nbsp;side," Lu told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

"Currently, we have not found any reasons or clues leading to the situation described by the United States," he said.

In Washington on Wednesday, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was concerned about the "serious medical incident" and raised it with China's visiting State Councillor Wang Yi.

The unnamed US&nbsp;citizen assigned to the consulate in the southern city of Guangzhou had reported various "physical symptoms" dating from late 2017 to April this year, the U.S. embassy in Beijing said in an email.

The worker was sent to the United States for further evaluation.

"The clinical findings of this evaluation matched mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)," the embassy said.

The State Department will send a medical team to Guangzhou early next week to conduct baseline medical evaluations of all consulate employees who request it, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.

China's nationalistic state-run Global Times tabloid said in a commentary late on Wednesday that it was "very inappropriate" that the United States issued a public health alert despite only having a "vague understanding" of the situation.

It said it was "inconceivable" that China would carry out targeted attacks on the health of foreign diplomats.

"We firmly believe that there is not much possibility of any 'background' to the American consulate official's 'brain injury'," it said.

The U.S. government in October expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States for what it said was Cuba's failure to protect staff at the US&nbsp;embassy in Havana from mysterious health incidents at one point thought to possibly have been acoustic "attacks".

The staff there reported symptoms including hearing loss, dizziness, fatigue and cognitive issues, though Cuban officials dismissed the idea of acoustic strikes as "science fiction" and accused Washington of slander.

The cause of those incidents remains unresolved.

The Canadian government in April said it would remove families of diplomats posted to Cuba after Canadian personnel there in 2017 also reported similar health symptoms.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has always safeguarded the security of foreign organisations and personnel of foreign countries

China has found no clues to explain what happened to an American citizen working at a US consulate who reported suffering from " l" sounds and pressure leading to a mild brain injury, a foreign ministry spokesman said on Thursday. The US embassy, which issued a health alert on Wednesday to Americans living in China, said it could not link the case to health problems suffered by US government staff in Cuba dating back to late 2016. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China has always safeguarded the security of foreign organisations and personnel of foreign countries, including the United States, according to the Vienna convention. "China has already conducted an earnest investigation and we have also given initial feedback to the US side," Lu told a daily news briefing in Beijing. "Currently, we have not found any reasons or clues leading to the situation described by the United States," he said. In Washington on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was concerned about the "serious medical incident" and raised it with China's visiting State Councillor Wang Yi. The unnamed US citizen assigned to the consulate in the southern city of Guangzhou had reported various "physical symptoms" dating from late 2017 to April this year, the U.S. embassy in Beijing said in an email. The worker was sent to the United States for further evaluation. "The clinical findings of this evaluation matched mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)," the embassy said. The State Department will send a medical team to Guangzhou early next week to conduct baseline medical evaluations of all consulate employees who request it, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said. China's nationalistic state-run Global Times tabloid said in a commentary late on Wednesday that it was "very inappropriate" that the United States issued a public health alert despite only having a "vague understanding" of the situation. It said it was "inconceivable" that China would carry out targeted attacks on the health of foreign diplomats. "We firmly believe that there is not much possibility of any 'background' to the American consulate official's 'brain injury'," it said. The U.S. government in October expelled 15 Cuban diplomats from the United States for what it said was Cuba's failure to protect staff at the US embassy in Havana from mysterious health incidents at one point thought to possibly have been acoustic "attacks". The staff there reported symptoms including hearing loss, dizziness, fatigue and cognitive issues, though Cuban officials dismissed the idea of acoustic strikes as "science fiction" and accused Washington of slander. The cause of those incidents remains unresolved. The Canadian government in April said it would remove families of diplomats posted to Cuba after Canadian personnel there in 2017 also reported similar health symptoms.

Not found any clue on 'abnormal sound' described by US: China

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN.

Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment."&nbsp

"China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang.

"The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said.&nbsp

China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs.

Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks.

Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping.

As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong."

"He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN

US President Donald Trump on Monday urged China to maintain tight control of its border with North Korea until he signs a denuclearization deal with Kim Jong UN. Trump is scheduled to hold a landmark summit with the North Korean leader June 12 in Singapore, but Pyongyang recently has threatened to pull out over US demands for "unilateral nuclear abandonment." "China must continue to be strong & tight on the Border of North Korea until a deal is made," Trump tweeted, suggesting China may have eased up on enforcing economic sanctions against Pyongyang. "The word is that recently the Border has become much more porous and more has been filtering in.", he wrote, adding he wants North Korea to be 'VERY successful,' but only once a deal has been reached on denuclearization," he said. China is North Korea's biggest trade partner, and Trump has called on it repeatedly to press Pyongyang to rein in its nuclear and missile programs. Besides protesting US disarmament demands, North Korea also angrily condemned joint US-South Korean military exercises, and last week pulled out of planned inter-Korean talks. Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton also has drawn Pyongyang's ire by referring to Libya as a denuclearization model. After giving up Libya's nuclear program in 2003, leader Moamer Kadhafi was killed in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. North Korea's sudden shift in attitude followed a weeks-long charm offensive that saw Kim Jong Un hold a historic summit in the Demilitarized Zone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and meet twice with China's President Xi Jinping. As prospects for the Singapore summit dimmed, Trump offered assurances that if the summit is successful, Kim "will get protections that will be very strong." "He'd be in his country and running his country. His country would be very rich," he told reporters last week.

Trump urges China to clamp down on North Korea border

China today expressed strong <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-backs-one-china-policy-in-first-call-with-chinas-xi-jinping-12241">dissatisfaction against the US</a> for going against the One-China policy urging it to abid by the policy set in motion in 1979.

"We urge the United States to abide <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-country-can-be-exception-to-one-china-principle-china-10201">by the one-China principle, the regulations </a>and relevant commitments made in the Three Sino-US joint communiques," China's ministry of foreign affairs said, adding," I don't understand why the United States prevents other countries from recognizing the one-China principle and normalizing their relations with China."

The foreign ministry cited a 1979 communique signed between to two countries to assert that "one-China principle had won recognition and support from the international community."

China's state-run Global Times recently said White House decision to criticise China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) that foreign airlines remove references on their websites suggesting Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao as "countries" "won't not scare Beijing".

In February, US President Trump had called President Xi to convey that he will honour the one-China policy after declaring earlier that the US did not necessarily have to stick to the one-China policy as the Chinese government expressed "serious concern".

"We urge it not to point fingers or make inappropriate remarks on other countries for developing relations with China, and not to interfere in Chinese internal affairs concerning cross-Strait ties," the foreign ministry said.

Even before taking office officially, Trump after winning the US election had called Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen which infuriated China.&nbsp;

China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province since 1949 when the Chinese republic had come into existence.&nbsp;

Although President Carter had restored ties with China in 1979, although China insisted the US sever ties with Taiwan but the Carter administration passed the Taiwan Relations Act ensuring ties with China urging both sides to pursue "constructive dialogue".

China recently conducted military drills near Taiwan Straits in what Beijing said was "designed to send a clear message to the island." Taiwan denounced the threats.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had said it would "foil any form of Taiwan independence separatist plots and moves and to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

China recently conducted military drills near Taiwan Straits in what Beijing said was "designed to send a clear message to the island."

China today expressed strong dissatisfaction against the US for going against the One-China policy urging it to abid by the policy set in motion in 1979. "We urge the United States to abide by the one-China principle, the regulations and relevant commitments made in the Three Sino-US joint communiques," China's ministry of foreign affairs said, adding," I don't understand why the United States prevents other countries from recognizing the one-China principle and normalizing their relations with China." The foreign ministry cited a 1979 communique signed between to two countries to assert that "one-China principle had won recognition and support from the international community." China's state-run Global Times recently said White House decision to criticise China's Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) that foreign airlines remove references on their websites suggesting Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao as "countries" "won't not scare Beijing". In February, US President Trump had called President Xi to convey that he will honour the one-China policy after declaring earlier that the US did not necessarily have to stick to the one-China policy as the Chinese government expressed "serious concern". "We urge it not to point fingers or make inappropriate remarks on other countries for developing relations with China, and not to interfere in Chinese internal affairs concerning cross-Strait ties," the foreign ministry said. Even before taking office officially, Trump after winning the US election had called Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen which infuriated China. China considers Taiwan as a breakaway province since 1949 when the Chinese republic had come into existence. Although President Carter had restored ties with China in 1979, although China insisted the US sever ties with Taiwan but the Carter administration passed the Taiwan Relations Act ensuring ties with China urging both sides to pursue "constructive dialogue". China recently conducted military drills near Taiwan Straits in what Beijing said was "designed to send a clear message to the island." Taiwan denounced the threats. Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had said it would "foil any form of Taiwan independence separatist plots and moves and to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Watch: We urge US to abide by one-China principle, says China

US&nbspTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday he may travel to China, a move that could ease tensions between the world's two largest economies, as international policymakers acknowledged Beijing needs to change its trade practices.

The United States has threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports to try to force changes in Beijing's industrial policies, which Washington says are aimed at acquiring American intellectual property.

Mnuchin told reporters he was continuing to have discussions with his Chinese counterparts to try to resolve the differences over trade, but said he may go to Beijing.&nbsp

"A trip is under consideration," Mnuchin said at a news conference during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington.&nbsp

"I am not going to make any comment on timing, nor do I have anything confirmed, but a trip is under consideration."

Mnuchin also declined to say what he wants from a trade deal with China, adding, "If we have a deal, you'll know what it looks like when we have it."&nbsp

China has threatened retaliation against US&nbspexports if Washington pushes ahead with the tariffs. The row, which comes as the world economy records its strongest growth in years, cast a pall over the semi-annual gathering of the world's finance officials.

IMF Managing Christine Lagarde warned this week that a US-China trade war threatened to damage confidence, investment and growth. On Saturday, she told a news conference there would be no winners from such a conflict.

"It is important that as a global community we keep trade open, we ensure that we work within the multilateral system that we have to make sure if there are disputes, these disputes are resolved," she said.

Mnuchin said he met China`s new central bank governor, Yi Gang, during the IMF and World Bank meetings and discussed the potential for China to open its markets to more foreign competition.

"I did meet with the Chinese here. The discussions were really more around the governor's actions at the PBOC (People's Bank of China) and certain actions they've announced in terms of opening some of their markets, which we very much encourage and appreciate."

In a statement on Saturday to the International Monetary and Financial Committee, Yi said China would "vigorously" push forward the reform and opening of its financial sector, significantly relax market access restrictions, create a more attractive investment environment, strengthen the protection of intellectual properties and actively expand imports.

On Sunday, China's commerce ministry said it would welcome US&nbspofficials to discuss trade and economic issues.

"The Chinese side has received information that the US&nbspside hopes to come to Beijing to discuss economic and trade issues. China welcomes this," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Beijing announced on Wednesday that it would gradually eliminate ownership caps on foreign manufacturers of autos, aircraft and ships.

Regarding trade with Japan, Mnuchin said the Trump administration wants a bilateral trade agreement and has had discussions with Tokyo about such talks.

Japan wants the United States to rejoin the multilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, as it fears opening talks for a bilateral free trade agreement could put it under pressure to open up politically sensitive markets like agriculture.

Adjusting to Trump

A year after US&nbspPresident Donald Trump first rankled multilateral finance meetings with his "America First" trade agenda, some officials are starting to acknowledge he has changed the conversation on trade, even if they disagree with his tariff plans.

"No one can be in any doubt that the US&nbsphas a valid point about intellectual property theft" by China, British finance minister Philip Hammond said on Friday. "It's been going on, on an industrial scale, over many years and we've been targets of it just as the US&nbsphas."

At the same time, Hammond said using tariffs was the wrong way to settle trade disputes, and he was urging China to do more to open its markets to foreign competitors, particularly in services.

A senior Japanese government official drew a clear distinction between Japan's trade issues with the United States and the US-China dispute.

"It's a separate issue," the official said on condition of anonymity. "If Trump can help change China’s behavior, there is room for Japan to benefit."&nbsp

A European official at the meetings said policymakers were trying to reduce trade pressures during the talks, but added that they wanted to "make sure there is a level playing field on trade, that China is in the same framework that others share."

Mnuchin said he was not trying to "recruit" allies to put pressure on China, but having discussions with other countries that have similar issues. "A lot of these issues are not unique to the United States."

A number of officials expressed a desire for clarity on what the United States ultimately wants from China, and whether Trump will settle for lower Chinese auto tariffs, a short-term reduction in the US-China trade deficit or hold out for fundamental changes in industrial policy.

"I hope it is a negotiating strategy. But they need to articulate actions to be taken," said Robert Holleyman, a former deputy US&nbspTrade Representative in the Obama administration.

The United States has threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports to try to force changes in Beijing's industrial policies, which Washington says are aimed at acquiring American intellectual property

US&nbspTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday he may travel to China, a move that could ease tensions between the world's two largest economies, as international policymakers acknowledged Beijing needs to change its trade practices. The United States has threatened to impose tariffs on up to $150 billion of Chinese imports to try to force changes in Beijing's industrial policies, which Washington says are aimed at acquiring American intellectual property. Mnuchin told reporters he was continuing to have discussions with his Chinese counterparts to try to resolve the differences over trade, but said he may go to Beijing. "A trip is under consideration," Mnuchin said at a news conference during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. "I am not going to make any comment on timing, nor do I have anything confirmed, but a trip is under consideration." Mnuchin also declined to say what he wants from a trade deal with China, adding, "If we have a deal, you'll know what it looks like when we have it." China has threatened retaliation against US&nbspexports if Washington pushes ahead with the tariffs. The row, which comes as the world economy records its strongest growth in years, cast a pall over the semi-annual gathering of the world's finance officials. IMF Managing Christine Lagarde warned this week that a US-China trade war threatened to damage confidence, investment and growth. On Saturday, she told a news conference there would be no winners from such a conflict. "It is important that as a global community we keep trade open, we ensure that we work within the multilateral system that we have to make sure if there are disputes, these disputes are resolved," she said. Mnuchin said he met China`s new central bank governor, Yi Gang, during the IMF and World Bank meetings and discussed the potential for China to open its markets to more foreign competition. "I did meet with the Chinese here. The discussions were really more around the governor's actions at the PBOC (People's Bank of China) and certain actions they've announced in terms of opening some of their markets, which we very much encourage and appreciate." In a statement on Saturday to the International Monetary and Financial Committee, Yi said China would "vigorously" push forward the reform and opening of its financial sector, significantly relax market access restrictions, create a more attractive investment environment, strengthen the protection of intellectual properties and actively expand imports. On Sunday, China's commerce ministry said it would welcome US&nbspofficials to discuss trade and economic issues. "The Chinese side has received information that the US&nbspside hopes to come to Beijing to discuss economic and trade issues. China welcomes this," the ministry said in a statement on its website. Beijing announced on Wednesday that it would gradually eliminate ownership caps on foreign manufacturers of autos, aircraft and ships. Regarding trade with Japan, Mnuchin said the Trump administration wants a bilateral trade agreement and has had discussions with Tokyo about such talks. Japan wants the United States to rejoin the multilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, as it fears opening talks for a bilateral free trade agreement could put it under pressure to open up politically sensitive markets like agriculture. Adjusting to Trump A year after US&nbspPresident Donald Trump first rankled multilateral finance meetings with his "America First" trade agenda, some officials are starting to acknowledge he has changed the conversation on trade, even if they disagree with his tariff plans. "No one can be in any doubt that the US&nbsphas a valid point about intellectual property theft" by China, British finance minister Philip Hammond said on Friday. "It's been going on, on an industrial scale, over many years and we've been targets of it just as the US&nbsphas." At the same time, Hammond said using tariffs was the wrong way to settle trade disputes, and he was urging China to do more to open its markets to foreign competitors, particularly in services. A senior Japanese government official drew a clear distinction between Japan's trade issues with the United States and the US-China dispute. "It's a separate issue," the official said on condition of anonymity. "If Trump can help change China’s behavior, there is room for Japan to benefit." A European official at the meetings said policymakers were trying to reduce trade pressures during the talks, but added that they wanted to "make sure there is a level playing field on trade, that China is in the same framework that others share." Mnuchin said he was not trying to "recruit" allies to put pressure on China, but having discussions with other countries that have similar issues. "A lot of these issues are not unique to the United States." A number of officials expressed a desire for clarity on what the United States ultimately wants from China, and whether Trump will settle for lower Chinese auto tariffs, a short-term reduction in the US-China trade deficit or hold out for fundamental changes in industrial policy. "I hope it is a negotiating strategy. But they need to articulate actions to be taken," said Robert Holleyman, a former deputy US&nbspTrade Representative in the Obama administration.

US Treasury chief may visit China as trade tensions simmer

After the US banned its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-bans-american-companies-from-selling-to-chinese-phone-maker-zte-130846">companies to trade with China's ZTE </a>Corporation for seven years citing that it broke settlement agreement with false statement, the Chinese government hit back saying the US was "suppressing" China's technological development under the "guise of national security."&nbsp;

ZTE which is China's second largest telecom equipment maker said it regards compliance as the cornerstone of its strategy.

"Refusal orders will not only seriously endanger the survival of ZTE, but also hurt the interests of all ZTE's partners including a large number of US companies," the company said in a statement.

The Chinese foreign office spokesman Hua Chunying said the US frequently takes national security protection as an "excuse"&nbsp;and sets up restrictions on China-US trade and investment in high technology.

"US blamed China for forcing American enterprises to transfer technologies. Then it also claimed that China's high technology development threats its security. In the end, I think this only exposes the US hegemonic mentality featuring 'no others can own it except me'," China's foreign office spokesman said.

In China, there was an outpouring of support for ZTE on its social media even as the local media put the blame on the country's reliance on foreign semiconductors.

"You live in China and you can see that products like iPhone can be seen everywhere. We don't regard this as threats. However in the US, if someone buys Huawei, for some Americans, this is very serious, even can threat the national security," Chunying said, adding,"as the superpower and scientific and technological power, is the US so vulnerable now?"'

The development has already made matters worse over trade issues after US president Donald Trump last month imposed tariffs worth $60 billion on Chinese imports.

China hit back with retaliatory tariffs on US soybeans, cars and airplanes, however, it is still unclear when it would be imposed with several experts on both sides of the view that the dispute will be settled on the bargaining table.

In China, there was outpouring of support for ZTE on its social media even as the local media put the blame on the country's reliance on foreign semiconductors.

After the US banned its companies to trade with China's ZTE Corporation for seven years citing that it broke settlement agreement with false statement, the Chinese government hit back saying the US was "suppressing" China's technological development under the "guise of national security." ZTE which is China's second largest telecom equipment maker said it regards compliance as the cornerstone of its strategy. "Refusal orders will not only seriously endanger the survival of ZTE, but also hurt the interests of all ZTE's partners including a large number of US companies," the company said in a statement. The Chinese foreign office spokesman Hua Chunying said the US frequently takes national security protection as an "excuse" and sets up restrictions on China-US trade and investment in high technology. "US blamed China for forcing American enterprises to transfer technologies. Then it also claimed that China's high technology development threats its security. In the end, I think this only exposes the US hegemonic mentality featuring 'no others can own it except me'," China's foreign office spokesman said. In China, there was an outpouring of support for ZTE on its social media even as the local media put the blame on the country's reliance on foreign semiconductors. "You live in China and you can see that products like iPhone can be seen everywhere. We don't regard this as threats. However in the US, if someone buys Huawei, for some Americans, this is very serious, even can threat the national security," Chunying said, adding,"as the superpower and scientific and technological power, is the US so vulnerable now?"' The development has already made matters worse over trade issues after US president Donald Trump last month imposed tariffs worth $60 billion on Chinese imports. China hit back with retaliatory tariffs on US soybeans, cars and airplanes, however, it is still unclear when it would be imposed with several experts on both sides of the view that the dispute will be settled on the bargaining table.

iPhone is everywhere but some Americans believe Huawei threat to national security: China

The Chinese Navy which has been conducting exercises in the South China Sea said today it was involved in an "encounter" with the Australian Navy.

"Chinese and Australian naval vessels had an "encounter" in the South China Sea this week, and China acted professionally and lawfully," China's defence ministry said.

"The Chinese side's ships used professional language to communicate with the Australian side, and their operations were lawful, in compliance, professional and safe," the ministry added.

"The encounter&nbsp;happened on Sunday,"&nbsp;it said.

The Australian Navy confirmed three ships had recently travelled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam but did not give any more details.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said later that if Australia is referring to "freedom of navigation" in accordance with international laws, there is no problem whatsoever, Reuters reported.

"But if Australia has other motives, we hope it can see the trend in the South China Sea is stable and improving, and work together with China and other neighbouring countries for the peace and stability of the region," the Chinese ministry spokesman said.

The South China Sea has become a centre for naval exercise with China and the US fueling the race in an area which has several disputed islands hotly contested by China and the rest of the countries namely Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan and others.

Australia which is a close ally of the US said in a statement that it had deployed ships &nbsp;- &nbsp;Anzac, Toowoomba and Success - which will conduct naval exercises with countries around the region.

The Australian Navy confirmed three ships had recently travelled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam but did not give any more details.

The Chinese Navy which has been conducting exercises in the South China Sea said today it was involved in an "encounter" with the Australian Navy. "Chinese and Australian naval vessels had an "encounter" in the South China Sea this week, and China acted professionally and lawfully," China's defence ministry said. "The Chinese side's ships used professional language to communicate with the Australian side, and their operations were lawful, in compliance, professional and safe," the ministry added. "The encounter happened on Sunday," it said. The Australian Navy confirmed three ships had recently travelled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam but did not give any more details. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said later that if Australia is referring to "freedom of navigation" in accordance with international laws, there is no problem whatsoever, Reuters reported. "But if Australia has other motives, we hope it can see the trend in the South China Sea is stable and improving, and work together with China and other neighbouring countries for the peace and stability of the region," the Chinese ministry spokesman said. The South China Sea has become a centre for naval exercise with China and the US fueling the race in an area which has several disputed islands hotly contested by China and the rest of the countries namely Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan and others. Australia which is a close ally of the US said in a statement that it had deployed ships - Anzac, Toowoomba and Success - which will conduct naval exercises with countries around the region.

China, Australian Navy involved in 'encounter' in South China Sea

China's exports growth unexpectedly fell in March, the first drop since February last year, raising questions about the health of one of the economy's key growth drivers even as trade tensions rapidly escalate with the United States.

March import growth beat expectations, however, suggesting its domestic demand may still be solid enough to cushion the blow from any trade shocks. That left China with a rare trade deficit for the month, also the first drop since last February.

The latest readings on the health of China's trade sector follow weeks of tit-for-tat tariff threats by Washington and Beijing, sparked by US&nbspfrustration with China's massive bilateral trade surplus and intellectual property policies, that have fueled fears of a global trade war.

China's March exports fell 2.7 percent from a year earlier, lagging analysts' forecasts for a 10.0 per cent increase, and down from a sharper-than-expected 44.5 per cent jump in February, which economists believe was heavily distorted by seasonal factors.

For the first quarter as a whole, however, exports still grew a hearty 14.1 per cent.

Some analysts had expected a pullback in March exports following an unusually strong start to the year, when firms stepped up shipments before the long Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February. That scenario did not alter their view that global demand remains robust.

But a stronger currency could also be starting to erode Chinese exporters' competitiveness. The yuan appreciated around 3.7 per cent against the US&nbspdollar in the first quarter this year, on top of a 6.6 per cent gain last year.

No hard timeline has been set by either Washington or Beijing for the actual imposition of tariffs, which leaves the door open to negotiations and a possible compromise which could limit the damage to both sides and other trade-reliant economies.

But analysts said the trade threats may already be having an impact on exporters' activity.

With the threat of tariffs hanging over nearly a third of China's exports to the United States, economists at Nomura say its companies may have front-loaded shipments early this year before any measures kick in.

China's exports to the US&nbsprose 14.8 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, while imports rose 8.9 per cent.

That sent its quarterly trade surplus with the US&nbspsurging 19.4 per cent to $58.25 billion, though the March reading narrowed to $15.43 billion from $20.96 billion in February.

China's total aluminium exports in March rose to their highest since June, just as the United States imposed tariffs on imports of the metal and steel on March 23.

"We believe export growth will slow due to yuan appreciation and rising trade tensions. But the solid global growth outlook may provide some buffer. China’s import could be more resilient than export growth in our view as China has pledged to increase imports," said Lisheng Wang, an economist at Nomura in Hong Kong.

China's overall March imports grew 14.4 per cent from a year ago, beating analysts' forecast for 10.0 per cent growth, and compared with 6.3 per cent growth in February.

That produced a trade deficit of $4.98 billion for the month, but such shortfalls are not uncommon for China early in the year, likely due to seasonal factors.

For Jan-March, imports rose a strong 18.9 per cent on-year.

Analysts expected China would record a trade surplus of $27.21 billion for last month, from February's surplus of $33.75 billion.

Imports of commodities continued to lead the way in March, with shipments of copper, crude oil, iron ore and soybeans all rising from the previous month.

China's exports rode a global trade boom last year, expanding at the fastest pace since 2013 and serving as one of the key drivers behind the economy's forecast-beating expansion.

But the sudden spike in trade tensions with the United States is clouding the outlook for both China's "old economy" heavy industries and "new economy" tech firms.

Washington says China's $375 billion trade surplus with the United States is unacceptable, and has demanded Beijing reduce it by $100 billion immediately.

In a move to further force China to lower the billions of goods trade surplus running with the US, Trump unveiled tariff representing about $50 billion of technology, transport and medical products early this month, drawing an immediate threat of retaliatory action from Beijing.

China's tech sector, which is key part of Beijing's longer-term "Made in China 2025" strategy to move from cheap goods to higher-value manufacturing, may be particularly vulnerable.

Hi-tech products have been among its fastest growing export segments. China exported $137.8 billion worth of high-tech products in the first quarter, up 20.5 per cent on-year.

March import growth beat expectations, however, suggesting its domestic demand may still be solid enough to cushion the blow from any trade shocks.

China's exports growth unexpectedly fell in March, the first drop since February last year, raising questions about the health of one of the economy's key growth drivers even as trade tensions rapidly escalate with the United States. March import growth beat expectations, however, suggesting its domestic demand may still be solid enough to cushion the blow from any trade shocks. That left China with a rare trade deficit for the month, also the first drop since last February. The latest readings on the health of China's trade sector follow weeks of tit-for-tat tariff threats by Washington and Beijing, sparked by US&nbspfrustration with China's massive bilateral trade surplus and intellectual property policies, that have fueled fears of a global trade war. China's March exports fell 2.7 percent from a year earlier, lagging analysts' forecasts for a 10.0 per cent increase, and down from a sharper-than-expected 44.5 per cent jump in February, which economists believe was heavily distorted by seasonal factors. For the first quarter as a whole, however, exports still grew a hearty 14.1 per cent. Some analysts had expected a pullback in March exports following an unusually strong start to the year, when firms stepped up shipments before the long Lunar New Year holiday in mid-February. That scenario did not alter their view that global demand remains robust. But a stronger currency could also be starting to erode Chinese exporters' competitiveness. The yuan appreciated around 3.7 per cent against the US&nbspdollar in the first quarter this year, on top of a 6.6 per cent gain last year. No hard timeline has been set by either Washington or Beijing for the actual imposition of tariffs, which leaves the door open to negotiations and a possible compromise which could limit the damage to both sides and other trade-reliant economies. But analysts said the trade threats may already be having an impact on exporters' activity. With the threat of tariffs hanging over nearly a third of China's exports to the United States, economists at Nomura say its companies may have front-loaded shipments early this year before any measures kick in. China's exports to the US&nbsprose 14.8 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, while imports rose 8.9 per cent. That sent its quarterly trade surplus with the US&nbspsurging 19.4 per cent to $58.25 billion, though the March reading narrowed to $15.43 billion from $20.96 billion in February. China's total aluminium exports in March rose to their highest since June, just as the United States imposed tariffs on imports of the metal and steel on March 23. "We believe export growth will slow due to yuan appreciation and rising trade tensions. But the solid global growth outlook may provide some buffer. China’s import could be more resilient than export growth in our view as China has pledged to increase imports," said Lisheng Wang, an economist at Nomura in Hong Kong. China's overall March imports grew 14.4 per cent from a year ago, beating analysts' forecast for 10.0 per cent growth, and compared with 6.3 per cent growth in February. That produced a trade deficit of $4.98 billion for the month, but such shortfalls are not uncommon for China early in the year, likely due to seasonal factors. For Jan-March, imports rose a strong 18.9 per cent on-year. Analysts expected China would record a trade surplus of $27.21 billion for last month, from February's surplus of $33.75 billion. Imports of commodities continued to lead the way in March, with shipments of copper, crude oil, iron ore and soybeans all rising from the previous month. China's exports rode a global trade boom last year, expanding at the fastest pace since 2013 and serving as one of the key drivers behind the economy's forecast-beating expansion. But the sudden spike in trade tensions with the United States is clouding the outlook for both China's "old economy" heavy industries and "new economy" tech firms. Washington says China's $375 billion trade surplus with the United States is unacceptable, and has demanded Beijing reduce it by $100 billion immediately. In a move to further force China to lower the billions of goods trade surplus running with the US, Trump unveiled tariff representing about $50 billion of technology, transport and medical products early this month, drawing an immediate threat of retaliatory action from Beijing. China's tech sector, which is key part of Beijing's longer-term "Made in China 2025" strategy to move from cheap goods to higher-value manufacturing, may be particularly vulnerable. Hi-tech products have been among its fastest growing export segments. China exported $137.8 billion worth of high-tech products in the first quarter, up 20.5 per cent on-year.

China's first-quarter trade surplus with US surge

America&#39;s massive trade deficit with China is estimated to have resulted in about two million job losses in the US, the White House has said, defending President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to initiate strong actions against China&#39;s &quot;unfair&quot; trade practices.

Trump imposed tariffs on about $60 billion worth of Chinese imports to punish the country for its &quot;unfair&quot; seizure of American intellectual property, a move that could escalate the already tense trade relations between the world&#39;s two biggest economies.

The move came after a seven-month investigation into the intellectual property theft, which has been a longstanding point of contention in US-China trade relations.

China also announced retaliatory measures against the US.

A senior administration official told reporters: &quot;By some calculations, every billion dollar of trade deficit that arises from market-distorted policies, costs us about 6,000 jobs. A very conservative calculation, by some estimates, is that trade deficit results in about two million more jobs in China and two million less here. This is a serious problem that the US side is keenly aware of&quot;.

China&#39;s &quot;unfair&quot; trade practices have resulted in a goods trade deficit of $370 billion, the official said.

The Trump administration said that it is for China to decide what course it wants to take.

&quot;The point here is that China will have a choice as to how to respond, and they have benefited far more from this relationship than we have. We will certainly take that into account,&quot; the official said.

The typical American corporation that wants to go to China and sell its goods into the Chinese market is on the horns of a dilemma.

Responding to questions, the official said the concerns with Chinese economic practices are widespread throughout the United States and around the world.

&quot;We have heard from many of our trading partners that they share many of these concerns,&quot; the official said.

Another administration official said China benefits far more from the US-China trade relationship than the US does.

Since 2001, when China joined the World Trade Organisation, its economy has grown from $1 trillion of GDP to $12 trillion; roughly an 800 per cent growth rate.

&quot;During the same period of time, the American economy sputtered. It went from an annual growth rate of about 3.5 per cent between 1947 and 2000, down to around two per cent, which everybody wanted to say was the new normal for America. But the contrast between China&#39;s growth and its unfair trade practices, and what had happened to the US in terms of growth and wage growth, is quite startling,&quot; the official said.

Later State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said Trump has been very clear from the first day on the campaign trail, longstanding concerns that he has and administration-wide people have, with China&#39;s &quot;unfair&quot; trade practices.

&quot;It&#39;s natural for us to have to address things that we don&#39;t agree on. One of them is certainly trade. The President has fought very hard for advancing opportunities, economic opportunities for American businesses, but also the American people,&quot; she said.

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden welcomed the decision.

&quot;China has cheated, stolen and bullied American industry on trade for decades, causing massive economic wreckage to workers, employers and communities across America in the process. Our country must stand up against China&#39;s trade blackmail, so I am encouraged that the administration is focused on protecting the technologies that China publicly targeted,&quot; Wyden said.

Senator Sherrod Brown welcomed the news that the Trump administration is taking steps to launch crackdown on China&#39;s violation of intellectual property laws.

Business Roundtable said unilaterally imposing tariffs or other restrictions without a long-term strategy to bring about reforms in China will only raise prices in America, make American companies and products less competitive, and harm US workers and consumers.

&quot;The administration should instead pursue a comprehensive approach centred around several strategic priorities. This includes working closely with our international partners to identify unfair trade barriers and practices that China must remove, setting deadlines for such reforms and outlining actions that the US will take if those reforms are not undertaken,&quot; it said.

China's "unfair" trade practices have resulted in a goods trade deficit of $370 billion, the official said

America's massive trade deficit with China is estimated to have resulted in about two million job losses in the US, the White House has said, defending President Donald Trump's decision to initiate strong actions against China's "unfair" trade practices. Trump imposed tariffs on about $60 billion worth of Chinese imports to punish the country for its "unfair" seizure of American intellectual property, a move that could escalate the already tense trade relations between the world's two biggest economies. The move came after a seven-month investigation into the intellectual property theft, which has been a longstanding point of contention in US-China trade relations. China also announced retaliatory measures against the US. A senior administration official told reporters: "By some calculations, every billion dollar of trade deficit that arises from market-distorted policies, costs us about 6,000 jobs. A very conservative calculation, by some estimates, is that trade deficit results in about two million more jobs in China and two million less here. This is a serious problem that the US side is keenly aware of". China's "unfair" trade practices have resulted in a goods trade deficit of $370 billion, the official said. The Trump administration said that it is for China to decide what course it wants to take. "The point here is that China will have a choice as to how to respond, and they have benefited far more from this relationship than we have. We will certainly take that into account," the official said. The typical American corporation that wants to go to China and sell its goods into the Chinese market is on the horns of a dilemma. Responding to questions, the official said the concerns with Chinese economic practices are widespread throughout the United States and around the world. "We have heard from many of our trading partners that they share many of these concerns," the official said. Another administration official said China benefits far more from the US-China trade relationship than the US does. Since 2001, when China joined the World Trade Organisation, its economy has grown from $1 trillion of GDP to $12 trillion; roughly an 800 per cent growth rate. "During the same period of time, the American economy sputtered. It went from an annual growth rate of about 3.5 per cent between 1947 and 2000, down to around two per cent, which everybody wanted to say was the new normal for America. But the contrast between China's growth and its unfair trade practices, and what had happened to the US in terms of growth and wage growth, is quite startling," the official said. Later State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said Trump has been very clear from the first day on the campaign trail, longstanding concerns that he has and administration-wide people have, with China's "unfair" trade practices. "It's natural for us to have to address things that we don't agree on. One of them is certainly trade. The President has fought very hard for advancing opportunities, economic opportunities for American businesses, but also the American people," she said. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden welcomed the decision. "China has cheated, stolen and bullied American industry on trade for decades, causing massive economic wreckage to workers, employers and communities across America in the process. Our country must stand up against China's trade blackmail, so I am encouraged that the administration is focused on protecting the technologies that China publicly targeted," Wyden said. Senator Sherrod Brown welcomed the news that the Trump administration is taking steps to launch crackdown on China's violation of intellectual property laws. Business Roundtable said unilaterally imposing tariffs or other restrictions without a long-term strategy to bring about reforms in China will only raise prices in America, make American companies and products less competitive, and harm US workers and consumers. "The administration should instead pursue a comprehensive approach centred around several strategic priorities. This includes working closely with our international partners to identify unfair trade barriers and practices that China must remove, setting deadlines for such reforms and outlining actions that the US will take if those reforms are not undertaken," it said.

Trade deficit with China costs 2 million jobs to US: White House

In the simmering trade war, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-targeting-60-billion-tariffs-on-chinese-imports-in-100-items-35719">the Trump administration has told the</a> World Trade Organization(WTO) that it was taking action against Indian export subsidies.

The US government is increasingly targetting the two biggest economies in Asia - India and China - in a bid to fix its trade deficit.&nbsp;

AFP reported documents submitted to the WTO by the US which included punishment for violating basic rules, mainly aimed at China. 
&nbsp; 
A White House said on Wednesday it was pushing China to cut trade surplus with the US by $100 billion.

Last week, Trump had tweeted that China had been asked to develop a plan to reduce its trade imbalance with the United States by $1 billion, but the White House spokeswoman said Trump had meant to say $100 billion.

The United States had a record $375 billion trade deficit with China in 2017, which made up two-thirds of a global $566 billion U.S. trade gap last year, according to US&nbsp;Census Bureau data.

China reported its 2017 U.S. trade surplus as $276 billion, also about two-thirds of its reported global surplus of $422.5 billion.

In a Thursday editorial, widely-read Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times said the United States was trying to play the victim.

&quot;If the U.S. wants to reduce its trade deficit, it has to make Americans more hard-working and conduct reforms in accordance with international market demand, instead of asking the rest of the world to change,&quot; it wrote.

&quot;Once a trade war starts, capable countries won&#39;t bow to the US-China has tried hard to avoid a trade war, but if one breaks out, appeasement is not an option.&quot;

The US government is increasingly targetting the two biggest economies in Asia - India and China in a bid to fix its trade deficit.

In the simmering trade war, the Trump administration has told the World Trade Organization(WTO) that it was taking action against Indian export subsidies. The US government is increasingly targetting the two biggest economies in Asia - India and China - in a bid to fix its trade deficit. AFP reported documents submitted to the WTO by the US which included punishment for violating basic rules, mainly aimed at China. A White House said on Wednesday it was pushing China to cut trade surplus with the US by $100 billion. Last week, Trump had tweeted that China had been asked to develop a plan to reduce its trade imbalance with the United States by $1 billion, but the White House spokeswoman said Trump had meant to say $100 billion. The United States had a record $375 billion trade deficit with China in 2017, which made up two-thirds of a global $566 billion U.S. trade gap last year, according to US Census Bureau data. China reported its 2017 U.S. trade surplus as $276 billion, also about two-thirds of its reported global surplus of $422.5 billion. In a Thursday editorial, widely-read Chinese state-run tabloid the Global Times said the United States was trying to play the victim. "If the U.S. wants to reduce its trade deficit, it has to make Americans more hard-working and conduct reforms in accordance with international market demand, instead of asking the rest of the world to change," it wrote. "Once a trade war starts, capable countries won't bow to the US-China has tried hard to avoid a trade war, but if one breaks out, appeasement is not an option."

Taking action against Indian export subsidies: US tells World Trade Organization

Commander of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-foreign-secretary-jaishankar-picks-four-big-disruptions-at-raisina-dialogue-30008">US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry</a> Harris during a panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue said that nations should take &quot;tough decisions to keep the region safe and open.&quot;

Top officials comprising <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/need-to-identify-nations-who-are-sponsors-of-terrorists-army-chief-at-raisina-dialogue-29797">of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue</a> (QSD)&nbsp;-&nbsp;US, Japan, Australia and India pointed out that China needed to be countered.

Admiral Harris said he had &quot;no issues in engaging China&quot; if it is interested in keeping the region peaceful, safe and open, however, Japan&#39;s Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano it is very difficult to change &quot;China&#39;s aggressive policy&quot; which would make it &quot;isolated&quot; soon.&nbsp;

Admiral Kawano added that China had &quot;violated international rules in East China Sea and South China Sea&quot;.

India&#39;s naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba added that the region was &quot;facing trust deficiency&quot; and &quot;fear of insecurity&quot; and that there was a need for developing trust between countries in the region and &quot;transparent inter-operability&quot;.

Admiral&nbsp; Lanba&nbsp;said there is a &quot;change in the deployment of China&#39;s navy since 2008&quot;&nbsp;though there is no evidence of military purposes in its deployment. 
&nbsp; 
Australia&#39;s Vice-Admiral Tim Barret echoed Admiral Kawano&#39;s statement, saying: &quot;There needs to be a meaningful outcome from discussions among like-minded nations to take on China.&quot;

Top officials comprising of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) nations US, Japan, Australia and India pointed out that China needed to be countered.

Commander of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris during a panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue said that nations should take "tough decisions to keep the region safe and open." Top officials comprising of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) - US, Japan, Australia and India pointed out that China needed to be countered. Admiral Harris said he had "no issues in engaging China" if it is interested in keeping the region peaceful, safe and open, however, Japan's Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano it is very difficult to change "China's aggressive policy" which would make it "isolated" soon. Admiral Kawano added that China had "violated international rules in East China Sea and South China Sea". India's naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba added that the region was "facing trust deficiency" and "fear of insecurity" and that there was a need for developing trust between countries in the region and "transparent inter-operability". Admiral Lanba said there is a "change in the deployment of China's navy since 2008" though there is no evidence of military purposes in its deployment. Australia's Vice-Admiral Tim Barret echoed Admiral Kawano's statement, saying: "There needs to be a meaningful outcome from discussions among like-minded nations to take on China."

At Raisina Dialogue, QSD nations point at 'China's aggressive policy'

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