Trump's only regret on China is 'not raising tariffs higher'

US President Donald Trump on Sunday rowed back from a suggestion made just hours earlier that he regrets his trade war with China, saying instead he's only sorry not to have raised tariffs even higher.

Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham told reporters at the G7 summit in the French resort of Biarritz that the president's earlier comments had been misunderstood.

"The president was asked if he had 'any second thought on escalating the trade war with China'. His answer has been greatly misinterpreted," she said.

"President Trump responded in the affirmative -- because he regrets not raising the tariffs higher."
"I have no plan right now."