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Donald Trump’s China policy

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Donald Trump’s China policy
In his first administration, US President Donald Trump came down heavily on Beijing economically, kicking off a US-China trade war that was kept in place by his successor, Joe Biden. Returning to the White House in 2025, Trump is expected to continue his transactional, “America first” policies towards international trade, particularly with respect to the world's second-biggest economy.
The US Supreme Court ruled in February that Donald Trump could not use emergency powers to impose broad tariffs, reaffirming that such authority rests with Congress. Photo: AdobeStock
US-China trade war

Trump’s tariff powers tested again as court questions ‘deficit’ justification

Court weighs Section 122 tariffs as plaintiffs warn of shifting tactics and judges probe limits of ‘balance of payments’ claims.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

High fertiliser prices mean more soybeans for farmers – and greater reliance on China

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US-China relations

How can Beijing prepare for Trump’s ‘drunken boxing’ style before he meets Xi?

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit set for limited trade-focused agenda

US goals for May’s presidential summit focus on stability and specific trade deals rather than an overall relationship reset.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Photo: Reuters
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Only virtual talks, no new investment push before Xi-Trump summit: Greer

US Trade Representative underscores US seeks substantial tariffs, unhindered rare earth access, and a stability-preserving leaders’ meeting.

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Taiwan

How lessons from Iran war could shape mainland China’s Taiwan calculus

US strengths and strains offer Beijing a playbook, but key differences limit how far the conflict can guide future military strategy.

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China GDP

Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

Goldman Sachs’ chief Asia-Pacific economist says worst is over in terms of property slump’s impact on China’s economic growth.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Global South

Opinion | Global South nations are insulating themselves from the heat of US actions

The ‘Great Insulation’ is coming – not major powers decoupling top-down but small and middle powers building a firewall from the bottom up.

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US-China trade war

‘Liberation Day’ anniversary, war on Iran, Taiwan’s KMT visits Beijing

This week: One year since Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’, China proposes Iran war peace plan in partnership with Pakistan, Hong Kong retains IPO crown. Next week: Taiwan’s Kuomintang leader visits mainland, Chinese airlines raise fuel surcharges, factory-gate prices may end slump, and more.

US-China relations

Opinion | 3 reasons Xi-Trump summit won’t be a waste of time for China

Despite current tensions and dim prospects for meaningful progress, Beijing should still roll out the red carpet.

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US President Donald Trump, left, and President Xi Jinping pose for a photo at the Forbidden City in Beijing on November 8, 2017. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Beijing hails US cooperation as ICE returns suspected drug smuggler to China

With Xi and Trump set to meet next month, Beijing says handoff signals ‘progress in bilateral counternarcotics law enforcement’.

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A drug smuggling suspect was returned to China by US ICE via cooperation channels between the two countries, Chinese state media says. Photo: AP
US-China trade war

The US-China trade war 1 year on: who really holds the upper hand?

A fragile truce prevented all-out confrontation, but Beijing and Washington remain locked in a struggle few analysts see easing any time soon.

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China-Latin America relations

Rubio raises concerns over China’s detention of Panama-flagged ships

Panama’s decision to strip Panama Ports Company of its concessions is a test of US backing for countries challenging China, experts say.

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US-China trade war

As Xi-Trump summit approaches, tariffs continue to choke direct trade

Deficit with mainland hits two-decade low as trade shifts to Taiwan, Mexico and Vietnam amid tariff fallout and efforts to stabilise ties.

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Shipping containers wait to be transported along a railroad at the port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, California, one of the busiest gateways for US trade. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

China targeted in US birthright citizenship debate, but court justices sceptical

China benefiting from ‘birth tourism industry’, top litigator claims, with Trump in attendance – a historic first for a sitting president.

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A protester holds a sign in support of birthright citizenship outside the US Supreme Court on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

Brazil exporters bypass local banks to tap China’s US$1 trillion Sinosure fund

As Brazilian interest rates price out local lenders, Sinosure is quietly reshaping how Chinese goods reach the market.

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US-China trade war

US lawmakers call for major crackdown on China’s alleged sanctioned oil imports

Bipartisan panel argues sanctions have concentrated discounted oil in Beijing's hands – charges the Chinese government denies.

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US-China relations

‘Lack of moral character’: pair who stole secrets for China loses US citizenship

Case reflects the Trump administration’s stated goal of ‘maximally pursuing’ denaturalisation wherever legally possible.

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US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the latest denaturalisations ensure that US citizenship “remains a privilege to obtain, not a right to abuse”. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
United States

New York Mayor Mamdani puts city’s government back on TikTok

The city’s top official, himself a social media star, has reversed a ban on the app that was sparked by concerns over its Chinese links.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit: US trade chief casts doubt on pre-meeting Beijing visit

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says key Trump officials unlikely to meet Chinese counterparts, in a break from usual practice for talks.

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US-China trade war

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements

SCMP Plus annotates announcements by China’s Ministry of Commerce of two trade barrier investigations in response to the United States’ Section 301 probes intended to justify reimposing higher tariffs on trading partners.

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements
US-China relations

Letters | Unfinished business: the delay of Trump’s China visit

Readers discuss the postponement of the US president’s visit to Beijing, and the underlying impulse behind American military action.

US President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on October 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Born in the USA? China targeted in Trump’s birthright citizenship fight

As Supreme Court decision looms, Chinese nationals find themselves at the centre of disputed core constitutional issue: who is an American?

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US-China trade war

China deploys new trade-war weapons with US investigations

An overhaul of China’s Foreign Trade Law has given the country new tools in global trade disputes and paved the way for retaliatory measures against the US.

US-China trade war

Trump pitches China trade ‘win’ to US farmers ahead of Xi meeting, midterms

Claims come despite farmers remaining unsure if China will meet its 25 million-tonne commitment for 2026, as planting season approaches.

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US President Donald Trump gestures to farmers from the Truman balcony of the White House in Washington on Friday. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

China denies retaliating against Panama ships, accuses Washington of canal grab

US body says Beijing’s inspections of Panama-flagged ships exceed historical norms and may be reprisals over ousted Hong Kong operator.

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People work on a construction project at the Port of Balboa, managed by Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings, at the entrance to the Panama Canal in February. Photo: AFP
US-China trade war

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

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China GDP

China’s economy can absorb Iran war shocks, says Justin Lin

But top economist cautions that US might not follow through on any agreements reached when Trump visits China in May.

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