Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, said on Tuesday he thought America and China could resolve their differences and build a prosperous future, but this would come only if China bent to US demands on trade and democracy.
In robust comments delivered by video link to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Pompeo said the Trump administration would echo former President Ronald Reagan’s mantra of “peace through strength” in its dealings with other countries.
Although he said he was optimistic about the future relationship with China, he criticised “China’s state-centred economic model, its belligerence towards neighbours and its embrace of a totalitarian state at home”.