Trump Ramps Up Trade War, Says 'Extremely Hard' To Do Deal With Xi

OECD Cuts Growth Forecast as US Leader Doubles Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum Imports

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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on June 4 that it was "extremely hard" to reach a deal with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as he ramped up his global trade war by doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

The comments and higher levies came as Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ministers gathered to discuss the outlook for the world economy in the light of the United States' hardball approach to trade that has rattled world markets.

Mr. Trump's sweeping tariffs on allies and adversaries have strained ties with trading partners and sparked a flurry of negotiations to avoid the duties.

The White House has suggested the President will speak to Mr. Xi this week, raising hopes they can soothe tensions and speed up a trade deal between the world's two biggest economies.

However, in the early hours of June 4, Mr. Trump appeared to dampen hopes for a quick deal.

"I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is very tough, and extremely hard to make a deal with!!!" he posted on his Truth Social platform.

China was the main target of Mr. Trump's April 2 tariff blitz, hit with levies of 145 per cent on its goods and triggering tit-for-tat tariffs of 125 per cent on US goods.