Mnuchin’s Silence Signals His Displeasure With Trump’s Trade War

• Treasury chief has faced criticism over softer China stance • Voice absent as investors unload assets as dispute widens

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is signaling his displeasure with President Donald Trump’s trade war with China by saying nothing at all.

Mnuchin, typically a vocal booster of even Trump’s small-bore economic achievements, is maintaining a deliberate silence to show his dissatisfaction as the president proceeds with tariffs on tens of billions of dollars in Chinese goods, said two people familiar with his thinking. He aims to resolve disputes over trade policy internally, they said.

Mnuchin decided silence was his best ...