I don’t think Trump’s tough ball play against China is really intended in a trade war, just a strategy to force concession from China. Ultimately China has more reasons to back down, give up something and enter negotiation. Who is more afraid of losing? of course Chinese side. China had $375 billion trade surplus vs U.S. last year, now U.S. wants a cut, I don’t see enough reason China wants to ruin surplus status even the new $275b annual value is not bad at all. The tough mouth talk each side is only in superficial level. U.S. has other trade alternatives to go besides China – Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippine etc.
