There is no current country-specific limit on the 85,000 H-1B work visas granted each year, and an estimated 70 pc go to Indians.

Riding on a massive Narendra Modi wave sweeping through most parts of India, the BJP seems set to return to power

Chinese exports accounted about 18 per cent of the total US imports in 2018, representing 2.34 pc of the US GDP.

Brent crude futures were at USD 70.73 a barrel, up 11 cents, or 0.2 per cent, from their last close.

Liu voiced a measured optimism on reaching a deal, but said there were “issues of principle” on which China would not back down.

The value of products subject to new round of tariffs is approximately dollar 300 billion.