The United States' trade deficit surged to its highest level in more than 14 years in November as businesses boosted imports to replenish inventories, offsetting a rise in exports.

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on a group of 50 people, companies and ships largely out of the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and China.

China and Spain held a trade and investment matching conference on Thursday in Madrid, during which both sides called for stronger bilateral economic and trade cooperation and reaffirmed their support for free trade,