US President Donald Trump asserted in an interview published on Friday that tariff negotiations were underway with China, but Beijing denied any talks were taking place, the latest in a series of conflicting signals over what progress was being made to de-escalate a trade war threatening to sap global growth.

Somsak Saelao’s community of Pang Kob is isolated, situated close to the top of the Khun Nan mountain, and follows the traditional way of life of the Hmong hilltribe.