How did the US economy do in Trump’s first year?

The NSS indicates a turn towards a more confrontational United States.

In recent weeks, Washington has stepped up its efforts to check Chinese maritime ambitions in the South China Sea. The Pentagon has stepped up its Freedom of Navigation Operations, while deploying Defense Secretary James Mattis to key Southeast Asian partners. With China emerging as America’s top national security concern, there are growing signs that the Trump administration’s South China Sea policy is finally taking shape.

The imposition of so-called safeguard tariffs on imports of solar panels and washing machines under Section 201 of the US Trade Act is directed mainly at China and South Korea.

U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to protect American intellectual property, but made no mention of China, which his administration has accused of trade abuses, in his first State of the Union speech to Congress.

Trump’s national security team is reported at looking at options to counter the threat of China spying on U.S. phone calls that include the government building a super-fast 5G wireless network.

But it was clear in Davos, Switzerland, this past week that geopolitical momentum lay with Beijing, not Washington.

President says he would drop opposition to trade pact if better deal could be negotiated.

Pacific Rim nations including Japan and Canada aim to sign comprehensive pact in March.

Analysts say duties will result in job losses in US and set back use of renewables