Congressional Republicans are mounting a rebellion over Donald Trump’s move to patch up trade relations with Beijing, drawing up legislation that would block the White House’s attempt to rescue a Chinese telecoms group pushed to the brink by US sanctions.

The revolt, led by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, is a sign of mounting scepticism inside the Republican party over the president’s handling of his trade brinkmanship with China.

Mr Trump’s aides are negotiating a deal that would lift US sanctions against ZTE Corp, the Shenzhen-based telecoms group accused of selling sensitive technologies to Iran and North Korea, in exchange for wholesale senior management changes and another large fine. Mr Trump said yesterday that one option was fining ZTE $1.3bn.