Trump says he doesn’t want ’partial’ trade deal with China

US President Donald Trump says only a "complete deal” with China on trade will be acceptable, reiterating his tough approach against Beijing, as the two countries begin a new round of trade talks.

Trump told reporters on Friday at the White House that he doesn’t want a “partial deal” with China and won’t accept one that only addresses some of the differences between the two nations.

“I’m not looking for a partial deal, I’m looking for a complete deal,” Trump said during a press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Trump said voters understand the “spat” between the world’s two largest economies and claimed the ongoing trade war won’t hamper his reelection chance.

Trump continued to try to paint a dark picture of the Chinese economy ahead of talks that resume next month in Washington. “China is being affected very badly. We’re not,” Trump insisted.

Morrison, enjoying an unusually lavish reception from Trump, said he backed the US push to force China to reform on issues that include the theft of intellectual property.

"We need to make sure that we all compete on the same playing field," he said. China can't have "special rules."

Morrison acknowledged Australia has benefited greatly from China’s economic growth. At the same time, he said once China’s economy got to a certain level, “then you need to be obviously playing to the same rules as those other developed nations.”

Trade negotiators from the US and China are preparing to resume talks for the first time in nearly two months, as the two nations try to find a way out of a protracted trade war.

The latest round of negotiations were held in Washington on Thursday and Friday by US and Chinese deputy trade officials.

SS