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.
Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. “Exports to most markets and of most major commodities increased visibly,” a government spokesman said. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong economy

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

Census and Statistics Department says value of Hong Kong’s export of goods rose in January by 33.8 per cent year on year to HK$520.6 billion.

China exports

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

videocam
US-China relations

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

videocam
11
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
36
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
China-Africa relations

Opinion | China’s zero-tariff offer to Africa is a game changer

In contrast to Western proposals that come with strings attached, China has turned its own market into the main instrument of partnership.

A volunteer grinds coffee beans with children during a hands-on experience session at the Ethiopian pavilion of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park in Changsha, Hunan province on August 30, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
China manufacturing

What next for China’s export machine after top US court blocks Trump’s tariffs?

The high-stakes meeting between Trump and Xi may determine whether current reprieve gives way to a more durable trade deal, analyst says.

6
US-China relations

Trump tariff loss is win for Chinese exporters

Chinese manufacturers will no longer face higher tariffs than rivals elsewhere in the world after the US Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump.

US-China relations

Critical minerals rivalry expands to copper, silver

The US and China are intensifying efforts to secure copper and silver supply chains amid surging industrial demand which has driven up prices of the metals, delivering big returns for investors in 2025.

Critical minerals rivalry expands to copper, silver
Donald Trump

Open Questions | Abraham Newman on ‘weaponised interdependence’ in ‘neo‑royalist’ Trump era

American political scientist on how ‘interdependence’ can be exploited as part of the rivalry between major powers.

videocam
6
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Food and agriculture

Opinion | How China’s national food security push could reshape global markets

Amid increasing pressure from trade wars and climate change, Beijing is reframing agriculture as a matter of national security.

United States

Trump lashes out at US Supreme Court, rolls out new 10% global tariffs

Decision threatens administration’s trade agenda; casts shadow on Xi-Trump summit as some China tariffs wiped out before Beijing talks.

videocam
93
Mainland China

Why looming US-China trade talks could hinge on an obscure metal: gallium

China’s ban on exports of the vital metal could kick in again in November – and the US still has no realistic alternative supplier.

videocam
9
A block with the symbol, atomic number and mass number of Gallium. Illustration: Reuters
China trade

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

videocam
The WTO launched a formal self-review in 2022, and is expected to discuss reform proposals in March. Photo: AFP
China trade

US trade deficit widens, Spring Gala performances, Merz visit

This week: US trade deficit widens, humanoid robots dazzle in Spring Festival Gala, Wang Yi and Marco Rubio at Munich Security Conference. Next week: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits China, Politburo meets ahead of ‘two sessions’, Hong Kong budget speech and more.

Trade

Outside In | Try as it might, the US alone can’t reverse the tide of globalisation

Accounting for a significant share of world trade, Europe and Asia are far more decisive players in the fast-changing globalised economy.

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