Trump has announced plans for tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico since taking office, but many other countries worldwide are also bracing for similar measures. It was Trump's latest trade threat against China, the world's second-largest economy after the US, and Washington's biggest geopolitical rival, according to Al Jazeera TV channel.

Whether it is over TikTok, fentanyl or trade, Beijing might welcome a compromise to buy time to address its ailing economy and bolster its position globally.

U.S. President Donald Trump said his conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping last week was friendly and he thought he could reach a trade deal with China. The leaders of the world's two biggest economies discussed issues including TikTok,