With US tariff hikes escalating trade tensions with China, scholars are saying the US is doing more harm to itself.

MARTIN SIEFF, SENIOR FELLOW GLOBAL POLICY INSTITUTE, WASHINGTON "The US has pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the INF. It's scrapped the NAFTA. A year ago, to have come to amicable terms with China, the president praised the deal at the time, then he changed his mind, and said it's not enough. They have pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran.  The president's style is catastrophic for the United States, because it has destroyed the credibility of the United States."

PROFESSOR ALEXEY MASLOV NATL. RESEARCH UNIVERSITY HIGHER SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, MOSCOW "The US has been trying to change the rule of the game, which is very inappropriate during negotiations. The major problem here is the irresponsible attitude from the US. Their acts are not only bad for the China-U.S. trade relations, but will also cause the slowdown of world trade and lead to more complex international relations."