As the only right choice, trade talks welcome

The US' invitation to China to restart trade talks suggests the Donald Trump administration has changed its idea about settling trade disputes. But the decision is more likely based on its realization that the damage inflicted on domestic industries and consumers by the Trump-ignited tariff war would become unbearable, so it's better to use nondestructive means to settle the trade disputes with China.

If that is the case, the US move holds promise. But this promise could be deceptive.

While announcing that US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had sent the invite to senior Chinese officials, Larry Kudlow, White House's top economic adviser, said on Wednesday: "I think most of us think it's better to talk than not to talk, and I think the Chinese government is willing to talk."