DONALD Trump has hit out at what he called a “very one-sided and unfair” trade relationship between the US and China, but stopped short of criticising Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The US President’s comments came during his second day in China and after lengthy meetings with Xi.
Speaking after the announcement of new business deals between US and Chinese companies, Trump said Beijing “must immediately address the unfair trade practices that drive” what he said is a “shockingly” large trade deficit, as well as barriers to market access, forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft.
“But I don’t blame China,” he added. “After all, who can blame a country for being able to take advantage of another country for the benefit of its citizens?”
To applause, Trump added: “I give China great credit.”
The day included announcements that the two countries had signed agreements valued at more than $250 billion (£190bn) for products including US-made jet engines, motor parts, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and beef.
It was unclear whether the pledges go beyond a US-China trade agreement announced in May.
Xi said US-China relations were at a “new historic starting point” and declared: “The Pacific Ocean is big enough to accommodate both China and the United States.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here