TARIFFS: US Conveyed That Xi Should Request w/Trump Call After Tariff Hike - CNN

CNN reporting that the Trump administration officials spoke privately with Chinese officials shortly before Beijing announced retaliatory tariffs this morning, warning their Chinese counterparts against such a move and conveying that Chinese President Xi Jinping should request a call with US President Donald Trump. 

• CNN: "Two senior White House officials tell CNN that the US will not reach out to China first. Trump has told his team that China must be the first to make the move, as the White House believes it is Beijing that has chosen to retaliate and further escalate the trade war.
• "That stance has been conveyed to Beijing for roughly two months, with Trump’s team clearly telling Chinese officials that Xi should request a call with Trump. But Beijing has repeatedly refused to arrange a leader-level phone call, according to three sources familiar with the official communications."
• Trump reiterated at a Cabinet meeting yesterday that he believes his punitive measures will bring China to the negotiating table: "I have great respect for President Xi... he's been a friend of mine for a long period of time. I think that we'll end up working out something that's very good for both countries. I look forward to it."
• NYT DealBook cautioned this morning: “Because Trump has shown that he will listen to the bond market, the thinking goes, he has lost negotiating leverage — especially since he is seeking allies to team up against China."