The Section 232 measure is a highly unconventional and controversial one to restrain imports on the basis of their detrimental impact on U.S. national security. Worse, its employment against foreign trade partners, including China, is likely to be the first volley in an increasingly torrid summer of lethal trade pyrotechnics. The worst is yet to come.

Cooper and Douglas presented four visions of U.S. strategy towards China: primacy, balance, concert and integration. President Trump’s persona, rhetoric and actions suggest that he will lean more towards primacy with an element of balance in dealing with China. Primacy and balance constitute viable strategies in dealing with an emerging rival, but over reliance on these two unnecessarily limits U.S. foreign policy maneuverability and poses serious danger.

The summit will accomplish almost nothing if no conditions are set, and the summit will not materialize at all if too many conditions are put on the table.

Regarding China, Pompeo is likely to offer more of the same mixed approach that has thus far characterized the Trump administration’s policy. On the one hand, Pompeo has endorsed the notion that China is an economic threat to the United States, and on the other hand, Pompeo has spoken positively of Xi Jinping, particularly with reference to China’s role in helping to place pressure on North Korea.

The Trump administration wants China to import more cars, aircraft, soybeans and natural gas.

Trump has made a mess of US diplomacy. How has he gotten away with it?

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday he would impose hefty tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to protect U.S. producers, risking retaliation from major trade partners like China, Europe and neighboring Canada as well as helping to trigger a large selloff on Wall Street.

Several top U.S. steel and aluminum executives have been invited to the White House on Thursday for what could be a major trade announcement, according to two people familiar with the meeting.

Prudence needs to be exercised, and more dialogue and cooperation is the best strategy.

The US has fallen into the hands of a wealthy predator class that controls the government.