News analysis

New tariffs dampen hopes of a trade deal

Analysts doubt US move will work to get China to come up with concessions

A container ship unloading its cargo from Asia at the Port of Long Beach, in California, on Thursday. With the next round of trade talks to be held next month in the US, Washington is essentially giving China one month to come up with concessions. Th
A container ship unloading its cargo from Asia at the Port of Long Beach, in California, on Thursday. With the next round of trade talks to be held next month in the US, Washington is essentially giving China one month to come up with concessions. That rosy view is not shared by many analysts, who see little hope of a deal. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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News of a fresh round of 10 per cent tariffs effective on Sept 1 on an additional US$300 billion (S$413 billion) worth of Chinese imports to the United States has thrown more cold water on already low expectations of any deal with China on trade and market access.

"We look forward to continuing our positive dialogue with China on a comprehensive trade deal, and feel that the future between our two countries will be a very bright one!" President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday, two days after high-level talks in Shanghai.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 03, 2019, with the headline New tariffs dampen hopes of a trade deal. Subscribe