China needs friends in Trump’s trade war. But Xi may have to go it alone

Beijing has launched a charm offensive with other countries as US tariffs tighten. If they can't be won over, it may have no choice but to stimulate its vast domestic market

China's leader, Xi Jinping, says he is prepared to dance if it means sidestepping some of the worst of Donald Trump's trade tariffs. Last week he sent a letter to India's president, Droupadi Murmu, urging her to join him in a tango to celebrate 75 years of bilateral trade.

Xi said it was the right choice" for the two countries to be partners of mutual achievement and realise the Dragon-Elephant Tango'", which, he added, fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and theirpeoples."