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But from the start, the Clippers walked a tightrope that had them teetering all game, falling behind from the very beginning, putting stress on their defense.

For years, Vietnam has walked a tightrope between Washington and Beijing – the latter's expansive ambitions can be a threat to neighbours, especially growing economies that are keen to woo US businesses.

So the Bank's rate-setters face a delicate balancing act for the rest of the year, starting at their next meeting in May, particularly because nobody is sure how much the tightrope is going to wobble.

A week ago, Westminster was digesting the chancellor's Spring Statement and all the talk was of a tightrope walk and precarious public finances.

But it is trying to walk a diplomatic tightrope to maintain good relations with both countries, while also continuing to operate its businesses - and buy crucial minerals.