Donald Trump’s talk of ‘America first’ and fair trade smacks of double standards, says China

China’s state-run news agency has criticised US President Donald Trump’s speech suggesting his “America first” policies would not harm other nations and that he fully supported free trade as long as it was “fair and reciprocal”.

Xinhua said in a commentary published on Sunday that Trump’s comments at the World Economic Forum in Davos amounted to double standards and his protectionist policies would ultimately become a stumbling block when dealing with global partners.

Trump said in his comments on Friday that his “America first” policy did not mean “America alone” and that there had never been a better time to do business with the US.

Trump took credit for growth in the US economy, but added: “The United States will no longer turn a blind eye to unfair economic practices, including massive intellectual property theft, industrial subsidies and pervasive state-led economic planning.”

He has previously levelled the allegations against China, but did not criticise the country by name during his speech.

China reported a record-high trade surplus of US$276 billion with the US last year, with Trump pledging to try to narrow the trade deficit.