Beijing and Washington have already imposed duties on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, which are weighing on their manufacturing sectors and have shaken global financial markets. US prosecutors recently ensnared Chinese tech giant Huawei with charges of trade secret theft, including an alleged programme to reward technology theft from rivals. Washington hopes China will lessen the role of the state in the economy and curtail generous subsidies for industries and companies. - Trade deficit -China's politically sensitive trade surplus with the US last year hit a record $323.3 billion as the tit-for-tat tariffs kept Chinese buyers away from American agricultural and energy commodities. The test will be if Trump can get on board with a deal to address the trade deficit that defers structural changes.

Source: Bangkok Post February 17, 2019 03:45 UTC