Donald Trump arrived in Beijing supporting U.S. trade complaints

The strains between the world’s two biggest economies are fueling anxiety among global companies and advocates of free trade that they could retreat into protectionism, dragging down growth.

Washington accuses Beijing of backsliding on market-opening promises, and Mr. Trump said last week that the U.S. trade deficit with China $347 billion last year is “so bad that it’s embarrassing.”

“I don’t want to embarrass anybody four days before I land in China, but it’s horrible,” said Mr. Trump.

If they discuss trade during the two-day visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s government is unlikely to offer enough “to appease U.S. negotiators,” said John Davies of BMI Research.

That is likely to lead to “more protectionist measures on the part of the U.S.,” said Mr. Davies.

While Mr. Trump is looking to boost sagging public approval ratings, the Chinese leader enters their meeting on a political high.