"The ball is in China's court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don't have to make a deal with them," Trump press secretary Caroline Leavitt said.

"There's no difference between China and any other country, except that they're much bigger," she added.

While Leavitt maintained that Trump is open to a deal with Beijing, she stressed that China is the one that should step forward first - pointing to the strength of the US consumer market as leverage.

Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are exacerbated, and the situation has worsened since Trump took office in January.

Trump initially imposed tariffs on imports from China over its alleged role in the fentanyl supply chain - and recently increased those levels sharply over trade practices that Washington considers unfair.

This year alone, Trump has imposed an additional 145 percent tariffs on many goods from China, increasing duties from previous administrations.

This included 20 percent over fentanyl and other illegal drugs, and 125 percent over trade practices.

However, the Trump administration has allowed some technology products such as smartphones and laptops a temporary reprieve from the latest levy. | BGNES