Trump's trip to China: Beneath the smiles, a harsh reality

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping gave Donald Trump unprecedented "state visit plus" treatment during the US leader's three-day visit to China, which was hailed as "successful and historic", with a display of affability between the two men.

The US leader, while unhappy with China on trade and North Korean issues, had nothing but praise for his host in public.

In a speech to business leaders, with Mr Xi at his side, the American president launched into a familiar topic - America's trade deficit with China - saying that unfair trade practices are driving this deficit, along with barriers to market access. "We really have to look at access, forced technology transfer and the theft of intellectual property, which, just by and of itself, is costing the United States and its companies at least US$300 billion a year," he said.