Huawei arrest shows Trump has no game plan against China

PHOTO: REUTERS
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The arrest of Huawei global chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at one of China's most strategically important firms, on the same day US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping declared a 90-day "truce" in their trade war, is a diplomatic curveball that may fulfil some national security goals but could complicate upcoming trade talks with Beijing.

The Trump administration is going to face many more difficult moments like this as it steps up competition with China, but its actions thus far suggest it doesn't have a fully formed plan for how to manage the task.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 10, 2018, with the headline Huawei arrest shows Trump has no game plan against China. Subscribe