Democrats slam trade rift in debates

Democratic presidential candidates tackled the US-China trade dispute at their third debate on Thursday, with most criticizing US government handling of it.

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who was the first to be asked about the trade issue, said: "I would not appeal the tariffs on day one, but I would let the Chinese know we have to hammer out a deal. We have to let the Chinese know that we recognize that Trump's administration has pursued an arbitrary and haphazard trade policy."

US Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota talked about bins of soybeans sitting in the Midwest with no market because of the trade dispute. She said Trump is "treating farmers like poker chips in one of his casinos".