China is still cautiously trying to figure out what Trump wants. The president has threatened big tariffs in response to the inaction.

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) shakes hand with China's President Xi Jinping at the end of a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 9, 2017. No U.S. President has been tougher on China than Donald Trump,

The pragmatic U-turn by a natural U.S. ally underscores a challenge for President Donald Trump in resource-rich South America, where booming commerce in recent years has boosted China's influence. Trump is looking to shake up global trade and get partners to promote U.

Chinese manufacturers saw a surge in orders in February as importers rushed to beat higher U.S. tariffs imposed by President Trump, while Beijing contemplates retaliatory measures, according to Chinese state media.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is riding high as he prepares for the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing later this week. Donald Trump may just ruin the party.

Beijing is studying both tariff and non-tariff moves to counter the U.S. president's higher tariffs, per Chinese state media.