Is the US/China trade truce in jeopardy?

China won't give in to excessive demands

Markets have been sceptical since the US and China struck a trade truce in early December. Why the doubts?

One reason is that the official statement from China lacked specifics. The 90-day time limit has been excluded and there is no mention of products and quantities involved. China has been silent on President Trump's claim that China will reduce tariffs on US vehicles. The news that the chief financial officer of Chinese telecom giant Huawei was arrested in Canada over a potential violation of US sanctions on Iran will complicate the already tough negotiations. Huawei epitomises technological innovation in China, and so the arrest is highly significant. "Huawei" translates directly into...