A delicate balance as China comes to negotiating table

Complicated diplomatic process and economic necessity has brought US and China for tariff talks in Geneva

The volatile run-up to the Geneva talks underscores how China has a deep mistrust for US president Donald Trump and the divergent negotiating styles between the American and Chinese sides. Picture: Vincent Yu/AP

Since US president Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on China last month, Beijing has responded in kind. On state and social media, it posted images of Mao Zedong, lambasted "imperialists", and sent a message: capitulation to bullies is dangerous, and it wouldn't back down.

But behind closed doors, Chinese officials have grown increasingly alarmed about tariffs' impact on the economy and the risk of isolation as China's trading partners have started negotiating deals with Washington, according to three officials familiar with Beijing's thinking.