Michael Pillsbury, an occasional adviser to the Trump administration, insists that while Trump “has more guns” he also has a more pragmatic view of China than his aides and is still eager to cut a deal. “The key is to get the message to Xi, and not with a blunderbuss,” Pillsbury said.
The tariff talks also have resulted in a falling growth rate for China’s GDP, which Pillsbury said is a good thing because it shows China is getting the message.