Bangladesh, June 4 -- Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, Beijing has firmly rejected accusations from US President Donald Trump alleging that it breached the terms of a recently concluded trade consensus in Geneva. This renewed war of words and policy maneuvers underscores the fragile nature of the bilateral relationship, as both economic giants appear increasingly entrenched in their positions-casting doubt on the prospects for a meaningful or sustained de-escalation of their protracted trade conflict.

The conflict escalated publicly after Trump claimed last week that China had “totally violated” the May 12 agreement reached during high-level talks in Geneva. That deal had been intended to fr...