The US sought to ease trade tensions with China ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to Beijing, saying that every effort would be made to prevent current frictions from escalating into a trade war, AFP reported. Addressing students in the Chinese capital, Robert Hormats, US under secretary of state for economic, energy and agricultural affairs, said tensions were inevitable between major trade partners and that discussion was the key. “Many of these things can be negotiated out before they get to the WTO stage,” he said. Last week Beijing accused the US of an “abuse of protectionism” after Washington slapped anti-dumping tariffs of up to 99% on imports of some Chinese steel products. It also launched a probe into US car imports. Tensions have been high ever since the US said it would impose duties on Chinese-made tires in September.
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