Business deals involving the US and China generate such heat these days it is a wonder any get done. Take this week’s magnificently undiplomatic comments by Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, chairman of the House Republican policy committee, on the proposed $2.2bn buy-out of 3Com, the US-listed networking equipment supplier.

Bain Capital is leading the takeover alongside Huawei Technologies of China, which will take a 16.5 per cent stake in 3Com if the deal is approved. 3Com supplies the Pentagon with “intrusion prevention” technologies.