Trump has announced plans for tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico since taking office, but many other countries worldwide are also bracing for similar measures. It was Trump's latest trade threat against China, the world's second-largest economy after the US, and Washington's biggest geopolitical rival, according to Al Jazeera TV channel.

President Donald Trump said he’d prefer not to have to impose tariffs on China, his latest dovish remark toward the world’s second-biggest economy even as he continues to threaten sweeping action.

Beijing was steeling itself for a first-week assault from Donald Trump. That hasn’t happened — yet — so Chinese leaders are making nice and hoping to cut a deal.