The uncertainty is weighing on the United States economy, particularly manufacturing, which has slumped over the past several months. He has injected similar drama into trade talks with other partners, including Europe, Japan, Canada and Mexico, publicly threatening them with tariffs and suggesting he might leave some trading partners behind. It has also brought China, which is heavily reliant on exports to the United States, to the negotiating table. “By hyping up expectations and setting unrealistic goals for the trade talks, Trump makes the prospects for any sort of trade deal with China more uncertain and volatile,” he said. The two sides have been unable to reschedule a meeting between Mr. Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Chile that was canceled because of domestic protests.

Source: New York Times November 18, 2019 17:58 UTC