Trump readies final

technologies and know-how.

China immediately threatened to retaliate on $50 billion in US goods, so Trump upped the ante, vowing to hit another $100 billion of goods.

A preliminary list of about 1,300 Chinese export goods was released in April by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, with about 70 percent of the goods coming from categories covering nuclear reactors, electrical machinery and optical equipment.

A mystified Beijing

However, the list was due to be trimmed after a public comment period to reduce the negative impact on US companies and

not confirmed. CNBC reported Thursday Trump officials planned to winnow that list to between 800 and 900 goods.

It was also unclear when the tariffs would take effect. The White House said last month

on June 15, with the duties to be imposed “shortly thereafter.”

Analysts say that repeated about-faces and turmoil among US officials during trade talks

of Trump’s goals or which of the several senior emissaries from Trump’s Cabinet actually has the power to seal a deal.

“I think the Chinese have been mystified by what the administration wants,” said Nicholas Lardy, an expert on the Chinese economy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Trump has moved to save the Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE from US sanctions imposed in April that brought it the verge of collapse, sparking outrage from congressional Republicans.

Last month the White House effectively declared a truce in the trade hostilities with China, before deciding weeks later to press ahead with tariffs.

Analysts say the tariffs that Washington is preparing are a pittance when compared to the size of the world’s two largest economies -- limiting their power to bend Beijing to Trump’s will.

But others worry about the sign it sends, and the potential to damage the world economy.

Trump faces competing objectives in pursuing a North Korean deal while seeking comprehensive economic concessions from China, which might loosen economic pressure on Pyongyang if Washington presses too far.

“We’re asking them to completely change who they are and we’re shaking this little stick in front of them,” said Derek Scissors, an expert on the Chinese economy at the American Enterprise Institute.

“I’m a China-basher on trade,” he told AFP, but added: “I don’t see why we’re imposing $50 billion worth of tariffs on China. It’s not going to do any good.”