Trump could ease up on Huawei if China trade talks advance: Mnuchin

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that President Donald Trump might ease U.S. restrictions on Huawei if there was progress in the trade row with China – but absent a deal, Washington would maintain tariffs to cut its deficit.

“I think what the president is saying is, if we move forward on trade, that perhaps he’ll be willing to do certain things on Huawei if he gets comfort from China on that and certain guarantees,” Mnuchin said. “But these are national security issues.”

Washington has imposed and then toughened import tariffs on Chinese goods in a bid to reduce the United States’ trade deficit and combat what it calls unfair trade practices.