Tariffs, truces, Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’: key developments in US-China trade war in 2025
From Trump’s stiff tariffs and China’s response to high-level trade talks, here’s a selection of SCMP stories covering the major milestones
1. Trump signs executive orders imposing steep tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico
US President Donald Trump made good on his threat to impose 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports and 25 per cent on goods coming from Canada and Mexico, launching a potential trade war less than two weeks into his administration.
2. China to impose tariffs on US products, launches anti-monopoly probe into Google
China has unveiled retaliatory measures against the United States as the two countries brace for a renewed trade war, but observers say Beijing’s “restrained” moves could signal that it wants to negotiate.
3. Trump’s tariffs ignite worldwide backlash, spiralling uncertainty
Traditional American allies across Europe and Asia have criticised US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, stressing the sharp impact the measures would have on the global economy, with some countries not ruling out retaliatory action.