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US-China trade war

US-China trade war
Breaking news and analysis on the US-China trade war, its history and timeline, and the impact on the global economy.
People take pictures at the Bund waterfront area in Shanghai, which is hosting a two-day Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

Xi’s Apec playbook? How China could use new chair role at ‘pivotal juncture’

Hosting the bloc for just the third time in 25 years, China is promoting people-centred policies, infrastructure funding and predictability.

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US-China relations

Top US trade official spells out plan to break China’s grip on critical minerals

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Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison takes Panama to arbitration after court voids canal port rights

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Diplomacy

Opinion | American allies are finally hedging against American risk

As US policy becomes more self-centred and unpredictable, traditional allies realise their best bet lies with diplomatic diversification.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong’s economic comeback is the best answer to its critics

Readers discuss the renewed global interest in Hong Kong, and the British prime minister’s visit to China.

China-Latin America relations

China’s Chalco, Rio Tinto buy Brazil’s CBA for US$886 million to secure minerals

Acquisition of Brazilian flagship aluminium firm reinforces China’s growing footprint in the country’s strategic mineral assets sector.

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US-China relations

Trump unveils US$12 billion push to curb China’s grip on critical minerals

The initiative, dubbed Project Vault, aims to create a commercial stockpile to shield US manufacturers from supply shocks and price swings.

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Project Vault would serve as a commercial “shock absorber”, marking the first civilian-scale US strategic reserve for critical minerals. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

‘America First’ Fed? Why China economists doubt Trump’s pick can boost US dollar

Kevin Warsh unlikely to deliver long-term rebound while central bank independence still at risk, analysts say.

Yuan

Xi wants yuan’s global punch to match Chinese economic might

Xi Jinping’s wish to turn the yuan into a global reserve currency, and thereby boost China’s economic influence, conflicts with the nation’s capital controls.

China manufacturing

Stern rebuke: China shrugs off 2025 US threats to anchor shipbuilding dominance

Despite a market share dip, Chinese yards extend their commanding lead in key indicators, as high exports and lengthy backlogs signal resilience despite rivals’ gains.

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A vessel is seen under construction at a ship-building facility in China’s Jiangsu province on January 27. Photo: Xinhua
Singapore

Supply chain ‘weaponisation’ tops agenda at Singapore aviation meet

The new UN aviation chief says global cooperation is important to achieve a ‘safer, more sustainable and more competitive’ sector.

Visitors check out the Airbus booth at the Space Summit in Singapore on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Yuan

Why China’s academics turned to de-dollarisation amid trade war, global shocks

Global instability has also pushed a once-niche academic debate into Chinese policy circles.

China economy

Opinion | US-China rivalry: great powers that don’t make things won’t be great for long

As globalisation falters, it is countries that focus on building productive capacity, not financial excess, that will come out on top.

Hong Kong economy

CK Hutchison tipped to sell remaining ports despite Panama court ruling: experts

But effort by billionaire Li Ka-shing’s conglomerate will still face scrutiny from Beijing and deal may be re-evaluated, analysts tell SCMP.

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A container ship is guided by tugboats at a port in Panama. Photo: Reuters
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity contracts in January on weak domestic demand

The official purchasing managers’ index drops to 49.3 in January, from 50.1 in December.

A worker is seen on a wire harness production line at an electronics factory in Shangqiu, a city in central Henan province, on January 27, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
United States

US may have averted major shutdown by splitting bill, but partial closure is on

House approval still needed, with a funding lapse expected before lawmakers move to pass the spending package early next week.

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China trade

What has UK PM Starmer achieved in China – and what next for Sino-British ties?

The British leader’s trip has so far yielded tariff cuts and agreements on trade and investment.

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China-UK relations

Trump slams allies’ China ties, top generals fall, cross-strait talks

This week: US president says ‘very dangerous’ for UK to boost China ties, two top Chinese generals face corruption probes, and gold surges. Next week: Communist Party and Taiwan’s Kuomintang resume forum after 10 years, Uruguay president visits China, Shanghai opens skies to drones and more.

US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at the premiere of Melania. (Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa)
Yuan

US presses China to let yuan strengthen – but avoids controversial label

Washington says it could still designate Beijing in future if evidence found that it limits currency’s strength.

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China economy

Opinion | Fears of overcapacity ignore China’s full balance of payments picture

The right question to ask is whether China’s overall current account represents a destabilising imbalance that siphons growth from trading partners.

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US-China relations

Senate bills give clear message to Trump to back Taiwan as Xi meeting approaches

Thursday’s bills send signal to White House that US partnership with Taipei must not be forgotten as Trump threatens Cuba tariffs.

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US President Donald Trump was reminded that Taipei still merits support after a US congressional panel advanced four Taiwan-related bills on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Opinion | How the world can design a new trade architecture

Even as the US overhauls world trade norms, China’s quiet but influential role in redefining globalisation is impossible to ignore.

Cargo containers are stacked on a ship at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, on October 15, 2025. Photo: EPA
United States

US trade deficit widens sharply, reversing big pullback lauded by Trump

The US president touted the success of his tariffs after the trade gap fell to an earlier low, but the figure has since boomeranged back.

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United States

‘Not healthy’: US ambassador warns against China’s manufacturing dominance

US envoy David Perdue voices concerns over China’s manufacturing power, urging fair, reciprocal trade to benefit global economies.

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US-China relations

Do Americans think China will overtake the US? The results are in

Washington think tank takes the public’s temperature on global power and influence.

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China’s biggest advantage over the US is technology, according to a poll of Americans. Photo: Shutterstock
China-EU relations

How Europe, not the US, became China’s No 1 trade headache

Electric vehicles, critical minerals and chips have become flashpoints in the relationship, survey shows.

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China and the EU have faced mounting trade disputes in recent years, spanning electric vehicles, rare earths, chips and agricultural goods. Photo: Shutterstock
Trade

Macroscope | Trump weaponises trade as globalisation becomes more fractured

As recognised by Canada, the fracturing of the global economy is in full swing. Policymakers and businesses should expect it to continue.

Semiconductors

ASML reports heated global demand in 2025, but cools China outlook

US limits on ASML’s China trade continue to define the company’s growth pattern, with overall sales up despite China revenues falling.

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