Advertisement
Advertisement
TOPIC

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.
US President Donald Trump, (right) walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping (centre), at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on May 14. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Letters | The Xi-Trump summit stabilised ties, but the rivalry persists

Readers discuss who holds the strongest cards in China-US ties, why Hong Kong should abandon the US dollar peg, and the merits of Indonesia’s social programmes.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

How can China and the US escape ‘history as usual’? Xi has a message

videocam
15
China-India relations

Rubio expected to brief New Delhi on Xi-Trump summit during India trip

videocam
21
US-China relations

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

The future of the relationship is likely to be unscripted and messy at times, even full of friction, yet somehow maintaining a rhythm.

videocam
Illustration: Craig Stephens
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

China’s top trade negotiator urges Apec to grow economic pie, divide it fairly

At ministerial meeting in Suzhou, Li Chenggang urges representatives of 21 economies to ‘reject zero-sum thinking’.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China’s views on achieving ‘constructive, strategic and stable ties’ with US

SCMP annotates commentary released by a think tank on how China and the US may achieve “constructive, strategic and stable ties” following US President Donald Trump’s visit.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Open Questions | China-US stability may not last, ex-Asia adviser to Obama says

Evan Medeiros warns of growing US opposition to Donald Trump’s detente with Beijing and the risk that the Taiwan issue could cause a crisis in relations.

videocam
Illustration: Henry Wong
China leadership

From mine to market: how China is closing critical mineral security gaps

New law coordinates control over the full supply chain as Beijing frames minerals as a national security priority.

China-Latin America relations

US casts Cuba as China-linked security threat while still pushing for talks

Washington portrays Havana as a national security risk tied to Beijing and Moscow while insisting diplomacy remains possible.

videocam
6
Mainland China

Trump scraps signing AI executive order to keep ‘lead’ over China in industry

White House postpones decision on more regulation over fast-growing AI market as it may affect US competitiveness with rivals globally.

videocam
4
US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Thursday. Photo: EPA
China-Russia relations

China and Russia unite on world order, but Putin departs without concrete gains

Analysts say Beijing’s position in managing three-way ties appears to be strengthened after hosting Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

16
Most of the deals signed between Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday are symbolic, according to analysts. Pool photo: Reuters via AP
China trade

Asia-Pacific trade risks loom large as Apec official warns of protectionism

China is urged to evolve as a world buyer, ahead of ministers’ gathering in Suzhou where a raft of far-reaching trade issues will be discussed.

videocam
Diplomacy

Opinion | What Putin, Trump summits say about China’s role in world affairs

Beijing’s desire for systemic stability guides its relations with Moscow and Washington, making it central to global mediation.

videocam
China trade

Ex-mayor calls for stronger yuan, tariff cuts to reduce China’s trade surplus

Huang Qifan says coordinated policies, including gradual yuan appreciation and lowering of tariffs, are needed to address trade imbalances.

7
Huang Qifan, former mayor of Chongqing, speaks at the Tsinghua PBCSF Global Finance Forum in Chengdu on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

Chinese national charged in alleged scheme to smuggle drug shipments to US

Arrest shows signs of growing cooperation between US and China authorities in wake of last week’s Trump-Xi summit in Beijing.

videocam
A Chinese national was arrested in China in connection with an alleged scheme to import illegal drugs into Georgia, US federal officials announced on Wednesday. Photo: Shutterstock
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s Chery plans for 1m EVs sold abroad amid global energy crisis

Anhui-based carmaker anticipates 27 per cent increase in foreign deliveries in 2026 as battery ranges improve and oil prices rise.

videocam
Mainland China

China says US agreed to a maximum tariff rate. Could the trade war be waning?

Beijing says Washington agreed to keep future trade levies at numbers set in trade talks last year.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
United States

House foreign affairs chair warns AI sales to China could make America a ‘loser’

Brian Mast stressed that American firms must not let the best US technology reach the ‘wrong places’ when it comes to AI industry.

videocam
US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast has warned against letting American AI companies chase business in China. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

Opinion | Despite summit pledges, don’t expect US-China trade to improve

The near-term trajectory of China-US economic ties rests on several key timelines, any of which could trigger new tensions.

videocam
Artificial intelligence

AMD meeting with China’s vice-premier raises optimism on US AI chips

‘Relatively advanced’ chips to start entering China in second half, as US is ‘pulling back’ on tariff war and tech decoupling, analysts say.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Calls grow for US-China energy trade expansion – but is it feasible?

Business leaders back deeper bilateral energy trade after the US president floated new agreements in Beijing, but analysts question commercial viability.

videocam
An American flag flies in front of the Texas Voyager oil and chemical tanker, anchored in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Chevron El Segundo refinery, on April 23. Photo: AFP
Diplomacy

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit affirms China’s role as world’s indispensable broker

In hosting his US and Russian counterparts within a week, President Xi Jinping shows that China’s vision rests on pre-eminence over hegemony.

videocam
16
Illustration: Craig Stephens
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump’s China trip spurs bipartisan shift in Washington on Beijing

Lawmakers from both parties move debate from trade and engagement towards security, Taiwan and strategic rivalry with Beijing.

videocam
38
China-Russia relations

China and Russia hold trade expo as Putin and Trump visits draw global attention

Expo in Harbin highlights expanding economic ties amid rising geopolitical and trade uncertainties.

Rare earths

Australia to force investors with China ties to divest from rare earths company

The company will force divestment from two individuals and four companies due to Chinese affiliation.

6
Northern Minerals is developing a heavy rare earths project in Western Australia, at a time when the sector has become increasingly strategic for its uses in green energy and defence. Photo: Handout
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Xi-Trump summit outcomes

US President Donald Trump touted his ‘successful’ meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last week. While the leaders projected optimism, differences in their summaries of what was agreed hinted at tensions over the Iran war, trade and Taiwan.

Xi-Trump summit outcomes
2026 Xi-Trump summit

China, US agree to establish trade, investment councils after Xi-Trump summit

The world’s two biggest economies also agree to roll back tariffs, deepen investment and establish a new board to manage disputes.

4
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Bought the farm? Details still fuzzy on scope of US-China agriculture deal

China granted five-year export licenses to 77 US beef facilities, while renewing expired licenses of 425 other plants for another five years.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement