Trade Tensions and Economic Insights

Sino-US talks over the weekend were described by US Treasury Secretary Bessent as making “substantial progress” on trade. Presumably so important a comment was cleared by US President Trump. The only real issue investors care about is how far the US will retreat on trade taxes. Current tariffs effectively halt bilateral trade. An 80% tariff (suggested by Trump) would also effectively halt bilateral trade. A tax of 20% would damage the US economy, but allow trade to continue.