President Xi Jinping is trying to convince Europe that China is its real ally, while Donald Trump is going after the European Union with tariffs, threats over defense, and zero patience for negotiations.

President Trump is facing an adversary who has armed his country to play a long and potentially painful game in its contest with the U.S.

Welcome to The Hill’s Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Trump eyes trade deal with China, talks with Xi President Trump said Tuesday that the hefty tariff rate on China will significantly be reduced after he negotiates with Chinese President Xi Jinping,

President Trump’s apparent softening on tariffs has strengthened Chinese officials’ resolve that he will eventually cave if they wait him out.

Chinese officials rebutted President Donald Trump’s claim that the U.S. and China are actively negotiating tariffs. Trump said Wednesday that the U.S and China were “actively” talking on a daily basis.

China on Thursday denied U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that the two sides were involved in active negotiations over tariffs, saying that any suggestion of progress in this matter