Trump tariffs torch chances of meeting with China's Xi

Analysts believe the 'likeliest impetus' for talks would be a scenario where both leaders could claim victory -- Trump (left) by his willingness to keep ratcheting up economic pressure, and Xi (right) by showing China's resilience. - AFP

BEIJING: With his storm of tariffs on Chinese goods, US President Donald Trump has torched ties with Beijing and likely wrecked any hope of meeting his counterpart Xi Jinping in the near term, analysts say.

Since taking office in January, Trump's maelstrom of import duties against friend and foe alike has rattled diplomats and pushed global markets to the brink of financial meltdown.