China has been a fierce critic of sweeping U.S. tariffs that Trump announced on April 2. He later delayed the implementation of most but China, which has said it will respond with its own tariffs on U.S. imports, now faces a deadline next month to negotiate a deal.

While Mexico was spared from Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariff rollout on April 2, the 30% rate for the E.U. is 10% higher than what the president said he would apply to America's largest trading partner in April.

U.S. seaport operators are asking for extra time to implement pending tariffs on towering ship-to-shore cranes as they expect President Donald Trump's administration to follow through on a promise to essentially ban that vital cargo-handling equipment.

US apparel imports from China have plunged dramatically since April – and fashion companies plan further reductions.

Trump has warned that if any country introduces retaliatory duties, Washington would increase its tariff rates. Tokayev's comments suggest that like other countries, Kazakhstan will seek to get a deal with the U.S. over the line in the next three weeks.

The global car industry has grappled for months to navigate the Trump administration’s trade war. That gives Swamy Kotagiri, CEO of Magna International, the largest auto-parts manufacturer in North America,

"The EU and China are broadly on a colliding trajectory in terms of their trade and industrial policy concerns," he told CNBC. Bones of contention include the challenge of China's overcapacity and trade diversion to Europe, Stec, who is also head of the Mercator Institute's Brussels office, explained.

The value of apparel imports from China to the U.S. fell in May to its lowest monthly level in 22 years, according to latest trade data, highlighting the impact of steep U.S. tariffs. China has for years been the biggest exporter of clothes to the U.