Trump's trade agenda, a double-edged sword

With US president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration approaching, it worries many that his ambition and stated potential actions to revive US manufacturing and employment may heighten trade frictions with China.

Not only has he accused China of "stealing jobs away from Americans", he has also nominated a number of trade hawks known for wanting to play protectionist cards against China to form a new National Trade Council.

He has handpicked Peter Navarro, a noted China critic as his new director of trade and industry policy, and Robert Lighthizer, former deputy trade representative in the administration of Ronald Reagan known for waging a trade war with Japan, as the US trade representative.