Heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and China over the last few days, that seemed to catch many media outlets and pundits off-guard, were actually always lurking just beneath the surface. U.S. negotiators had indeed made headway with China in talks over the last several weeks, provoking even optimism from President Trump just days before he increased tariffs on some $200 bn worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to an economically damaging 25 percent. However, U.S. negotiators pushed too hard. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Sunday that China needs to agree to “very strong” enforcement provisions for an eventual deal and the sticking point in negotiations was Beijing’s reluctance to put into law changes that had been agreed upon. He added that U.S. tariffs would remain in place while negotiations remain. Major changes to Chinese law, enforced and monitored by another country is something China […]