Donald Trump said Wednesday it was "extremely hard" to reach a deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, as the EU claimed momentum in its own trade talks with Washington even as the US president doubled global metal tariffs.

Trump's latest trade moves came as OECD ministers gathered in Paris to discuss the outlook for the world economy in light of a US hardball approach that has rattled world markets.

Trump's sweeping tariffs on allies and adversaries have strained ties with trading partners and sparked a flurry of negotiations to avoid the duties.

The White House has suggested the president will speak to Xi this week, raising hopes they can soothe tensions and speed up a trade deal between the world's two biggest economies.

However, early Wednesday, Trump appeared to dampen hopes for a qu

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