Donald Trump’s renewed tariff threats against Chinese exports are complicating efforts by US negotiators to finalise agricultural and energy deals, as new signs emerge of his administration’s bitter internal debates on trade.
One of Mr Trump’s top trade advisers, China hawk Peter Navarro, yesterday hailed as “historic” the administration’s announcement this week that it would proceed with tariffs and investment restrictions on Beijing.
He also publicly criticised Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, who has been leading China talks due to resume in Beijing in the coming days, for declaring earlier this month that Washington was putting its trade war against China “on hold”.