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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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and US President Donald Trump visit the Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing on May 15. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summit

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

Prominent Harvard scholar says the Chinese leader sees rivalry with Washington as a path to catastrophic war unless both sides rethink their ties.

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China-India relations

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

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US-China relations

Opinion | Xi-Trump summit a triumph for China

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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’.

Li Chenggang, China’s international trade representative and a vice-minister of commerce, speaks during the opening ceremony of the Apec ministerial meeting in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Friday. Photo: EPA
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.

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.

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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.

Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements in this illustration taken on January 21. Photo: Reuters
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Chinese-made vehicles wait to be exported at a port in Jiangsu province on April 27. Photo: AFP
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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Employees work on a factory production line for Chery’s electric vehicles in China’s Anhui province. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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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.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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.

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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.

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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.

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Members of Congress from both parties warned against weakening US support for Taiwan following Donald Trump’s summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock
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.

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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.

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President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for US President Donald Trump, who is on a state visit to China, outside the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing on May 14. Photo: Xinhua
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.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump leaves China after much pomp and pageantry, but little to show for it

US president’s much-anticipated summit with Xi Jinping in Beijing resulted in more fanfare than concrete policy change, analysts say.

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