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.”