Chinese state media has mounted an uncharacteristically personal attack on US President Donald Trump as the trade war between the two countries enters its sixth month.

The ruling Communist Party’s daily newspaper on Monday claimed the US had intentionally inflamed frictions with China, turning international trade into a "zero-sum game”, according to Reuters.

The president was “starring in his own carefully orchestrated street fighter-style deceitful drama", the People's Daily newspaper said, adding that it was "wishful thinking” that anyone else would play along.

"Governing a country is not like doing business," the paper said in an editorial.

Mr Trump has already placed a 25 per cent tariff on $34bn worth of Chinese goods, and threatened sanctions on $200bn more, claiming the country is stealing American intellectual property and threatening US jobs. He has also set his sights on lowering the approximately $375bn trade deficit between the two countries.

These products may become more costly in the trade war Show all 9 1 /9 These products may become more costly in the trade war These products may become more costly in the trade war Orange Juice, which Florida is known for, may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war The EU lists 'footwear with outer soles of rubber or of plastics and uppers of plastics' amongst the goods that may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war Cosmetic products, such as US brands Maybelline, MAC and Avon, may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images for Rebekka Ruetz These products may become more costly in the trade war Jeans, the all-American trousers, are on the EU's list of goods that may be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war Bourbon whiskey is on the EU's list of over 100 US products that may be subject to import tariffs Getty These products may become more costly in the trade war US peanut butter products are on the EU's list of goods that may soon be subject to tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war US motorcycles, such as the Harley-Davidson, may soon be subject to import tariffs Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war Cranberry products, a major US crop export, may soon become more expensive Getty Images These products may become more costly in the trade war All tobacco products are on the EU's list of US goods that may be subject to import tarifs AFP/Getty Images

China has retaliated with matching tariffs on $34bn worth of American goods like tobacco, whiskey and motorcycles. On Friday, in response to Mr Trump’s threats, it unveiled plans to place additional sanctions on $60bn worth of American imports.

Factoring into the Trump administration's calculations is the yuan’s six per cent slide since the start of the summer, according to the Wall St Journal.

Also affecting the dispute is the lack of communication from either side. Larry Kudlow, Mr Trump’s chief economic adviser, told Marketplace last week that "virtually nothing has happened in a trade dialogue with China in a month or six weeks”.

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Representatives for US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He were looking for ways to restart talks last week, according to Bloomberg News.

But Mr Mnuchin said only that there were "some quiet conversations" taking place, telling CNBC: “We're prepared if [Beijing] is going to make serious moves to negotiate."

The president, meanwhile, tweeted on Sunday that the tariffs were “working big time”.