Deteriorating relationship founders without behind-the-scenes meetings and messages between Beijing and Washington.
Full breakdown of China’s purchases of US goods will not be published in the public text of the phase one trade deal, sources familiar with the agreement have said.
The World Trade Organisation’s appeals body will be paralysed in December with US President Donald Trump blocking crucial reappointments of judges.
Washington hawks have reacted angrily to China’s new industrial policy, which has drawn comparisons with the controversial ‘Made in China 2025’.
The US president promised tariffs on Chinese goods would help bring jobs back to the United States, but it is Southeast Asian nations and Mexico that are benefiting the most.
US tariffs on vehicles and parts would reverberate through global car supply chain, with both US and Chinese companies standing to lose out.
Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries are benefiting from firms fleeing China to escape Donald Trump's tariffs.