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 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shakes hands with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Geneva, Switzerland, in May 2025. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US and China trade chiefs to meet mid-March before Trump-Xi summit

The planned Paris talks suggest a meeting between the two countries’ leaders will go ahead despite American strikes against Iran.

videocam
Donald Trump’s China policy

Trump’s tariff wars reshaped US-China trade – at what cost to American firms?

4
Mainland China

Trump-Xi trade detente weathers US strikes on Iran

US-China relations

Exclusive | US, China discuss investment revival ahead of Trump’s trip: sources

Both sides exploring structured joint ventures and licensing deals, with Beijing seeking protection and Washington eyeing better market access amid declining capital flows.

videocam
17
US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping shake hands at an October meeting in South Korea. The two are expected to meet again in four weeks. Photo: Reuters
United States

Trump’s 2026 trade agenda sharpens push for ‘managed’ US-China ties

US Trade Representative report touts deficit drop, pledges tougher Section 301 enforcement ahead of Trump’s Beijing summit with Xi.

videocam
US-China relations

Will Iran attack derail Trump’s high-stakes China visit to meet Xi Jinping?

China has condemned killing of Iranian leader as a grave violation of sovereignty and called US incitement of regime change ‘unacceptable’.

videocam
19
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-China relations

Editorial | China now holds more cards ahead of Xi-Trump meeting

US Supreme Court reversal of Trump’s tariffs leaves China with lower tariffs and US deals with allies in doubt.

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the opening of a study session on January 20. Photo: Xinhua
China shipbuilding

Open Questions | Top shipbuilding voice Li Yanqing rebukes Washington’s ‘China threat’ narrative

China’s national shipbuilding association official calls US port fees ‘absurd’ and politically motivated, while asserting China’s market lead is solid despite global fluctuations.

11
Taiwan

As I see it | Taipei must break free of its abusive relationship with Washington

US President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz is not Taiwan’s fault, but the self-ruled island must come to see that Washington is unreliable.

10
US-China relations

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

videocam
42
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes US President Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the American leader’s 2017 visit. Photo: Xinhua
China exports

After Trump’s tariff setback, will US firms rush to stockpile Chinese goods?

Front-loading expected but not at levels seen ahead of last year’s sweeping “Liberation Day” duties, analysts say.

4
China’s exports soared to record highs in 2025, but those to the US fell 20 per cent for the year, according to customs data.
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong exports surge 33.8% in January thanks to rebound from 2025’s low base

Value of Hong Kong’s exports of goods rose in January to HK$520.6 billion.

China exports

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

videocam
US-China relations

China’s rare earth curbs hit US aerospace, chips hard despite trade truce

American firms face deepening yttrium and scandium shortages, threatening jet engine coatings and 5G chip production.

videocam
11
A rare earth mine in Mountain Pass, California. Shortages of yttrium and scandium have plagued US aerospace and semiconductor ⁠firms. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

videocam
49
Illustration: Brian Wang
China-EU relations

China-EU trade ties are at a crossroads. Could tech bridge the divide?

A hostile Washington is creating openings for a reset – but deep-seated issues remain, analyst says.

videocam
12
Canada

Xi Jinping meets foreign leaders: tracker 2026

World leaders are flocking to Beijing this year as Trump’s trade war spurs US allies to look for new ties.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
United States

US to keep China tariffs steady ahead of key Trump-Xi meeting: Greer

Trade envoy confirms levies on Chinese goods to remain within range of 35 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the product as tensions ease.

videocam
16
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has confirmed that the Trump administration will keep tariffs on China at their current level. Photo: Reuters
China trade

Trump’s USMCA exit threat seen pushing Canada into China’s arms

Analysts expect Ottawa to diversify trade as future of North American trade pact remains uncertain, while a US departure would ‘hit Canada like an earthquake’.

5
China consumption

IMF urges China to focus on consumption-led rebalancing, curb industrial policy

Global monetary body calls on Beijing to roll out more forceful fiscal stimulus to bolster domestic demand amid record trade surplus.

videocam
Yuan

China’s yuan strengthens to near 3-year high as US dollar uncertainty grows

The offshore currency continues to appreciate, with official fixing also hitting its strongest level since May 2023.

The yuan has appreciated steadily in recent months. By contrast, the US dollar has remained under sustained pressure, with investor confidence sapped by persistent concerns over the Trump administration’s policy volatility and fears over long-term fiscal sustainability. Photo: Reuters
Mainland China

US warns of deep distrust even as officials seek stable China ties for summit

Congressional hearings reflect bipartisan concern and highlight persistent advanced tech market tension as key Trump-Xi summit looms.

videocam
23
The Trump administration wants stable relations with China but does not trust the country, a senior State Department ⁠official said. Photo: Reuters
Donald Trump’s China policy

China braces after Trump imposes new global tariff – how will it respond?

Beijing is on alert but signals readiness to engage ahead of high-level trade talks and Trump’s first visit to China in his second term.

9
United States

Opinion | Despite Supreme Court ruling, Trump has legal cards for tariffs in hand

The US’ trading partners are understandably taking a wait-and-see approach to the tariff landscape after the court decision.

videocam
China food security

Explaining China’s 2026 rural blueprint

SCMP Plus annotates the No 1 document released by the Communist Party’s Central Committee and State Council setting out key rural policies for the year.

Explaining China’s 2026 rural blueprint
Mainland China

US trade chief’s statement on Trump’s global tariff

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer issued a statement elaborating on Trump’s decision to impose a new global tariff following Supreme Court’s ruling.

Photo: Reuters
China trade

US-Indonesia deal threatens China’s ‘entrenched position’ in nickel market: analysts

A new deal gives America unrestricted access to Indonesia’s nickel – and challenges China’s ‘preferential’ position in the market, analysts say.

5
US-China relations

US tariff ruling points to steadier US-China ties before April summit: analysts

Court decision lowers effective duties, easing tensions and steering Xi-Trump talks towards stability rather than escalation.

videocam
13
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement