CBJ — Hopes for resolving a longstanding trade war between the United States and China may have to wait until after the 2020 U.S. presidential election, according to President Donald Trump.

Both of the world’s top two economies have felt the pinch of the ongoing trade scuffle, although most analysts seem to believe China is worse for the wear. That’s not surprising given that far more Chinese products are sold in the U.S. than the other way around.

Analysts are split as to whether Trump is serious about an agreement not being done until then or whether he’s merely sending a scare tactic to China.

“In some ways, I like the idea of waiting until after the election for the China deal. But they want to make a deal now, and we’ll see whether or not the deal’s going to be right; it’s got to be right,” says Trump.

Based on those words it seems apparent a deal could be reached much sooner than next November — as long as the Trump administration gets what it wants.

Meanwhile, Trump says he will hit Brazil and Argentina with trade tariffs for “massive devaluation of their currencies”.

@CanBizJournal