Adam Smith on foreign trade "It is the maxim of every prudent master of a family, never to attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy. What is prudence in the conduct of every private family, can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom. If a foreign country can supply us with a commodity cheaper than we ourselves can make it, better buy it of them with some part of the produce of our own industry." https://www.thestreet.com/politics/what-is-a-zero-sum-game-14818535
If I were Trump, I would dare China to sign a zero-tariff trade treaty so that each country spends time to improve their respective competitive advantages and let consumers choose what to buy. This approach will be more productive than erecting trade barriers.
Actually not a bad thought. What about other more critical issues e.g. limit access to China market, forced tech transfer and IP thefts which are more important than trade deficits and tariffs?