Give and take winning proposition in trade talks

With US President Donald Trump tweeting that there has been no folding, and Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng saying that China is prepared for the possibility of an escalation of their trade disputes, both sides set out their respective positions for their trade talks in Washington.

In doing so doused hopes that the two sides will be able to resolve their differences during their second round of talks.

However, it is still possible to take the view that the glass is half full. Although it is proving difficult to reach a mutually satisfactory solution, the fact that the two sides are still willing to talk indicates neither considers it an impossibility.