14-04-2025

US-China Trade War Intensifies Amid Global Economic Uncertainty

Date: 14-04-2025
Sources: edition.cnn.com: 3
Image for cluster 33
Image Prompt:

Two giant cargo ships passing each other in opposite directions, one labeled "USA" and the other "China", with crates and containers marked with tariff percentages floating in the air between them, amidst a blurred background of a tense and uncertain global economy.

Summary

US-China Trade War Escalates Amid Diplomatic Maneuvering

The ongoing US-China trade war is deepening, with both countries imposing increasingly high tariffs on each other's goods, causing uncertainty and concern among businesses and nations caught in the crossfire. As the standoff escalates, the stakes for the global economy are growing, with potential shortages and surging prices for consumers.

Key points from the cluster include:

  • The US and China have imposed tariffs of up to 145% and 125% on each other's imports, respectively, with significant declines in sales reported by Chinese manufacturers and concerns about the impact on the US economy.
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping is attempting to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, positioning China as a stable trade partner and defender of global trade.
  • The trade war is causing anxiety among regional nations, which are seeking to balance their relationships with both China and the US, and are concerned about being caught in the middle.
  • The US and Chinese economies are intricately entwined, with the US relying on China for critical goods such as consumer electronics, rare earth minerals, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Experts warn that a full-blown trade war could have devastating consequences for both countries, with China's willingness to impose pain on its populace and Trump's capacity to play the long game being key factors in determining the outcome.

Articles in this Cluster

Annual trade show in Hong Kong engulfed by US-China tariff uncertainty | CNN BusinessClose icon

The annual Global Sources Hong Kong trade fair has begun amid uncertainty over the ongoing US-China tariff war, with exhibitors, mostly Chinese manufacturers, feeling the impact of the escalating trade dispute. US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports, while China has retaliated with a 125% levy on American goods. Exhibitors at the fair reported significant declines in sales, with some experiencing drops of around 20%, as buyers adopt a wait-and-see approach. Companies are struggling to cope with the tariffs, with some exploring new markets and others putting expansion plans on hold. The uncertainty surrounding the trade war is causing concern among businesses that rely on China's manufacturing capacity and efficiency, with many hoping for tariff reductions to stabilize the situation.

China’s Xi arrives in Vietnam on Southeast Asia tour to strengthen ties as Trump focuses his trade war on Beijing | CNNClose icon

Chinese President Xi Jinping has begun a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, starting with a visit to Vietnam, in an effort to strengthen ties and position China as a stable trade partner amidst the ongoing trade war with the US. Xi's visit comes as US President Donald Trump has narrowed his focus on China with tariffs, having recently paused tariffs on other countries for 90 days. Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations are anxious about being caught in the crossfire between the two economies and are seeking to balance their relationships with both China and the US. Xi has appealed to Vietnam to join China in upholding multilateral trade and has signed several agreements with the country, including cooperation on railways and agricultural trade. The visit is seen as an attempt by Xi to cast China as a reliable partner and defender of global trade, while also addressing regional tensions, including disputes in the South China Sea.

Trump’s showdown with China deepens, with huge stakes for the economy | CNN PoliticsClose icon

President Donald Trump's trade war with China is escalating, with the US imposing 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and China retaliating with 125% tariffs on US imports. The standoff risks damaging the US economy, with potential shortages and surging prices for consumers. Trump's administration is trying to pressure China to negotiate, but Chinese President Xi Jinping has so far declined to engage. The US and Chinese economies are intricately entwined, with the US relying on China for consumer electronics, rare earth minerals, and pharmaceuticals, among other goods. Experts warn that a full-blown trade war could have devastating consequences for both countries, but some believe China may be willing to impose more pain on its populace to avoid losing the struggle. Trump's capacity to play the long game has been questioned, and his administration's messaging has been inconsistent, with some exemptions to tariffs being announced and then reversed. The White House insists that its strategy is working, but the approach is considered risky and may fail to take into account the complexities of the US-China relationship.