A wide range of economists are voicing alarm over US President Donald Trump's tariffs blitz, which has sparked a trade war that experts say could lead to a global recession.

Here are comments from some leading economists:

Li Daokui, one of China's most influential economists, told AFP that Trump's tariffs mainly aim to "squeeze other countries" for concessions.

"It is hard to imagine that there is any other economic policy that can make people around the world, including people in the United States itself, suffer losses at the same time.

"This is simply a 'spectacle' of failed economic policies," Li said.

"Both the US government and the US economy will suffer huge losses," said Li, an economics professor at Tsinghua University and former member of China's main political advisory body.

He said the Chinese government has fully prepared for tariffs -- Beijing has readied countermeasures and stepped up efforts to stimulate domestic consumption.

While Trump's trade policy signifies the end of US leadership in globalisation, it gives Beijing opportunities to negotiate free trade agreements with other countries and........

© International Business Times