China imposed tariffs on U.S. imports and warned several companies, including Google, of possible sanctions in retaliation for Trump's tariffs. Read also: China supports Trump’s plan to resolve Ukraine crisis,

By targeting allies and neighbours with tariffs, the US is playing into the hands of China. “Our strategy on tariffs will be to shoot first and ask questions later.” That was what one of Donald Trump’s key economic policymakers told me late last year.

After all, US President Donald Trump agreed to reprieves with Canada and Mexico just hours before the tariffs on them took effect. Trump and China's President Xi Jinping are expected to talk this week.