[canada_dry]

> I’m guessing they just don’t want to seem weak and give in.

China has significantly more discipline than the current US administration and opposite to Trump's short-term shoot-from-the-hip approach, they are likely taking a page from Sun Tsu:

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

[Fjolsvith]

It seems to me that China has been assuming Trump's been shooting-from-the-hip and short-sighted, and allowed themselves to be outmaneuvered by him. People call Trump incompetent and bumbling and other unflattering terms, but Trump is actually very smart and is playing with a full house from a deck he stacked himself.

[Rolivaw]

I agree more with this type or reasoning. He or his administration knows full well that they are holding all the aces. So the Chinese can pretend to play tsun tzu all they want, US just needs to hold. Currently it’s looking much worse for china, but hey things can change and very very quickly.