The US has eased export restrictions on China for chip design software and ethane, a sign that trade tensions are calming

President Donald Trump’s new trade deal with Vietnam sends a clear signal about where US tariffs on Chinese goods might ultimately land, as talks between Washington and Beijing continue following their recent truce.

China has warned against trade deals that hurt what it calls "third parties", a pointed message just hours after the US sealed an agreement with Vietnam. The new deal slashes tariffs on Vietnamese exports to 20 per cent,