China should call Trump's trade bluff

US President Donald Trump added a new twist to the trade dispute on Sunday by seemingly softening his stance and tweeting: "President Xi and I will always be friends, no matter what happens with our dispute on trade. China will take down its trade barriers because it is the right thing to do..."

However, Trump has not changed his position. He has only attempted to cool down the heated war of words between the United States and China, by talking about his good relations with President Xi Jinping. But Xi remains committed to protecting global free trade.

In fact, Trump continues to bargain that "China will take down its trade barriers" and "taxes will become reciprocal and a deal will be made on intellectual property".