https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/326745/feed Breaking news and analysis on the US-China trade war, its history and timeline, and the impact on the global economy. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Dewey Sim Dewey Sim When China and the United States agreed in May to frame their relationship as a “constructive relationship of strategic stability”, the phrase left many observers trying to guess what it actually meant. Four months on, they have added an elaboration that offers further insight into the two sides’ respective priorities. After presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met in Washington last month, the two sides pledged to build a “constructive relationship of strategic stability on the basis of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370323/what-are-concerns-and-priorities-behind-new-language-used-define-china-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370323/what-are-concerns-and-priorities-behind-new-language-used-define-china-us-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth The Port of Los Angeles, the largest container port in the United States and the country’s leading gateway for imports from China and other Asian countries, had its busiest three-month period on record from July through to September, despite persistent uncertainty over tariffs and shifting global trade supply chains. “If there was ever a time for a drum roll, this is it,” said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, during a media briefing on Friday. “July through September... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370410/key-us-port-china-imports-records-best-ever-quarter-despite-trade-uncertainty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370410/key-us-port-china-imports-records-best-ever-quarter-despite-trade-uncertainty?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 20:54:02 +0000 Sherry Wang Sherry Wang Chinese authorities have charged a Shenzhen-listed firm and its chairman over smuggling restricted “dual-use” optical lenses out of the country, in a case that lawyers said underscores the growing risk of criminal prosecution for export control violations as Beijing tightens restrictions on strategic materials and technologies. Nanjing Wavelength Opto-Electronic Science & Technology, which manufactures optical components used in infrared thermal imaging, and chairman Huang Shengdi were among... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370318/china-charges-tech-firm-smuggling-restricted-dual-use-optical-lenses-out-country?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3370318/china-charges-tech-firm-smuggling-restricted-dual-use-optical-lenses-out-country?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 08:00:09 +0000 William Zheng,Khushboo Razdan William Zheng,Khushboo Razdan US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may skip a meeting of Apec finance ministers in Hong Kong later this month to focus on preparing for President Donald Trump’s historic visit to Shenzhen in November, sources told the South China Morning Post. Bessent is expected to meet Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng in Shenzhen ahead of Trump’s visit – when Trump will again hold talks with President Xi Jinping – as the two sides look to secure a longer extension of the bilateral trade truce, which is due to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370295/bessent-may-skip-apec-hong-kong-focus-trumps-shenzhen-visit-sources-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370295/bessent-may-skip-apec-hong-kong-focus-trumps-shenzhen-visit-sources-say?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 07:00:21 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu A US lawmaker’s call for a review of Hong Kong’s access to a Federal Reserve facility that provides short-term US dollar funding would have limited impact on the city as it is not a regular source of financing, according to analysts, who said any restriction could instead weaken the US dollar’s global dominance. John Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on China, has written to US Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh urging a review of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA)... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3370283/hong-kong-faces-limited-impact-if-fed-curbs-access-us-dollar-funding-facility-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/business/banking-finance/article/3370283/hong-kong-faces-limited-impact-if-fed-curbs-access-us-dollar-funding-facility-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 05:08:34 +0000 Junjie Wang Junjie Wang Chinese President Xi Jinping was busy travelling abroad last month. In September, he paid a historic state visit to the United States, his first to the country in more than a decade. He also made his first visit to India in seven years, meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Brics summit. China will host the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, where Xi will meet US President Donald Trump for the third time this year. During the summit, Xi is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370259/xi-jinping-meets-foreign-leaders-tracker-september-2026?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370259/xi-jinping-meets-foreign-leaders-tracker-september-2026?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 02:39:33 +0000 Junjie Wang Junjie Wang – https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370135/xi-trump-summit-outcomes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370135/xi-trump-summit-outcomes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 06:30:28 +0000 Chow Chung-yan Chow Chung-yan This year’s Chinese National Day reception in Washington felt noticeably jollier than those I have attended in recent years. The mood was more relaxed and Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng’s opening speech was upbeat. He even joked about the panda ambassadors at his own expense. The cheerful tone followed President Xi Jinping’s short but successful state visit to the US, during which his counterpart, President Donald Trump, gave him an unprecedented high-level reception that would have flattered even... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3369893/beyond-summit-how-us-china-relations-could-still-unravel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3369893/beyond-summit-how-us-china-relations-could-still-unravel?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 01:00:10 +0000 Nayan Seth,Zhang Tong Nayan Seth,Zhang Tong The United States should engage with Chinese carmakers and battery manufacturers “strategically”, using targeted safeguards instead of the current “wholesale restrictions”, which could lead US carmakers to lose global market share, according to experts. “We need to consider strategic partnerships,” said John Helveston, an associate professor at George Washington University, during a discussion on Tuesday. “So not just wholesale restrictions, but look at some of the best opportunities and let... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3370109/end-wholesale-restrictions-chinese-evs-us-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3370109/end-wholesale-restrictions-chinese-evs-us-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:59:20 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth Former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher Jacob Coxon said he was 90 per cent certain that China already had spies inside both US artificial intelligence (AI) companies, without providing evidence. Coxon made the allegation in an interview with entrepreneur Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast, arguing that China could steal advances from leading US AI labs and quickly close any technological gap. “Right now, if we just stopped, they would try and catch up. But I think one really important thing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370108/china-already-has-spies-us-ai-labs-claims-ex-anthropic-researcher?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370108/china-already-has-spies-us-ai-labs-claims-ex-anthropic-researcher?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 23:39:15 +0000 Teresa Elena Frontado Teresa Elena Frontado The US Treasury on Wednesday announced its first penalty under rules governing American investment in sensitive Chinese technologies, revealing a US$200,000 fine against the parent of Plug and Play Tech Centre for failing to report an investment in a Shanghai robotics AI company. The Treasury said on Wednesday that Amidi, LLC failed to submit a required notification after its Chinese fund subsidiary invested around US$92,478 in Shanghai Qiongche Intelligent Technology Company Limited, known as... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370101/us-issues-first-outbound-investment-fine-over-chinese-robotics-ai-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3370101/us-issues-first-outbound-investment-fine-over-chinese-robotics-ai-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:27:59 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li While China’s export engine still has room to grow, many of its trading partners may be approaching the limit of how much more they can absorb, which could place a ceiling on further growth over the coming years, according to a Goldman Sachs report. “At least over the next few years, there is still room for Chinese exports to maintain their strong momentum,” analysts said in the report led by the American investment bank’s chief China economist Hui Shan on Wednesday. “Over the longer term,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3370078/why-chinas-export-engine-may-hit-ceiling-trading-partners-face-limits?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3370078/why-chinas-export-engine-may-hit-ceiling-trading-partners-face-limits?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:00:06 +0000 Han Li Han Li China’s economic growth is expected to slow further next year as export strength fades and weak domestic demand persists, even as the global economy remains resilient, according to a new outlook from the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE). The Washington-based think tank projects China’s GDP will grow 4.6 per cent this year and 4.3 per cent in 2027, down from 5 per cent growth in 2025, according to its semi-annual Global Economic Prospects report, released on Tuesday. The... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369965/chinas-economy-slow-global-growth-stays-solid-us-think-tank-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369965/chinas-economy-slow-global-growth-stays-solid-us-think-tank-report-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:40:48 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma As President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump talked tariffs, agricultural quotas and critical minerals at last month’s closely watched summit in Washington, an “elephant in the room” loomed over the discussion: China’s efforts to gradually diversify away from US dollar assets. Beijing has gradually been cutting its holdings of US Treasuries while pushing to expand the yuan’s global use and developing alternative financial architecture. While these issues may not have featured in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369918/after-cordial-xi-trump-summit-could-chinas-us-dollar-pivot-cause-tremors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369918/after-cordial-xi-trump-summit-could-chinas-us-dollar-pivot-cause-tremors?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Zhou Xiaoming Zhou Xiaoming The recent US-China summit yielded a narrow, caution-filled outcome for bilateral trade: a two-month extension of the Kuala Lumpur trade truce, which now expires on January 10 next year. This reprieve eases fears of immediate tariff escalation and shows that head-of-state diplomacy can still curb spiralling confrontation. Yet the short timeline exposes the wide gulf separating the two sides’ priorities. China’s position has been unambiguous: removal of all punitive tariffs and restrictive... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3369750/short-trade-truce-cant-paper-over-realities-us-china-relationship?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3369750/short-trade-truce-cant-paper-over-realities-us-china-relationship?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Oct 2026 08:30:06 +0000 Teresa Elena Frontado Teresa Elena Frontado The US Justice Department (DOJ) is seeking to revoke the citizenship of a former Navy sailor convicted of spying for China and a Florida man convicted of conspiring to act as an agent of Beijing, it announced on Monday. Jinchao Wei and Ping Li are among 40 people facing denaturalisation actions in what the department described as the largest batch of such filings under the Trump administration. The civil proceedings remain pending, with no determination of liability, the DOJ said. The case... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369845/us-seeks-revoke-citizenship-two-china-born-men-convicted-beijing-linked-cases?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369845/us-seeks-revoke-citizenship-two-china-born-men-convicted-beijing-linked-cases?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 22:40:59 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington in September was steeped in pageantry. The Chinese president received two 21-gun salutes in three days, watched a flyover by the powerful B-2 stealth bomber, and viewed the founding documents of American democracy at the National Archives. US President Donald Trump called his summit with Xi a “great meeting” and rated it a “12 out of 10”. Xi was also positive, saying “everything is done to the highest order of perfection, and there is thought in every... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369774/beijing-wanted-more-xis-washington-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369774/beijing-wanted-more-xis-washington-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 21:00:09 +0000 Ben Jiang,Xiaofei Xu Ben Jiang,Xiaofei Xu In February 2023, the budget shopping platform Temu announced itself on the world stage in the brashest way possible: becoming one of the youngest ever brands to buy a Super Bowl advertising spot. “Download the Temu app and shop like a billionaire,” a voice proclaimed in the 30-second commercial, as a woman danced on screen and ordered a series of outlandishly cheap items: from a US$8.99 dress to a US$4.99 wig. The commercial – which aired twice during the game, costing Temu an estimated US$14... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3369595/temu-took-world-storm-has-shopping-app-lost-its-thunder?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3369595/temu-took-world-storm-has-shopping-app-lost-its-thunder?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 02:00:19 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Neighbouring China and Vietnam, two manufacturing giants, are building out railways, adding flights and boosting cargo links to leverage their geographic proximity for another boost in trade and tourism that will help both weather pressure from the US. The two countries set aside political disputes last year to step up economic ties, and analysts said they were now improving both the quality and quantity of transport links. “Overall, I see the China-Vietnam connectivity story moving from... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369606/us-bears-down-export-powerhouses-china-and-vietnam-establish-closer-transport-links?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369606/us-bears-down-export-powerhouses-china-and-vietnam-establish-closer-transport-links?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:27 +0000 Wang Xiangwei Wang Xiangwei For American and Chinese people interested in the outcome of the latest summit between China’s President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, their conclusions could not be more different if they turn to the media and pundits for guidance. Chinese state media spared no superlative, echoing the official description of the summit as: forging the right way for the major powers to get along and writing a new chapter in ties. It played up the fact that Trump gave Xi the highest-level reception... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3369358/how-g2-effect-trump-xi-summit-reverberating-through-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3369358/how-g2-effect-trump-xi-summit-reverberating-through-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:30:06 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Most trade ministers from the world’s largest economies disagreed with calls to curb excess industrial capacity at a Group of 20 (G20) trade meeting that ended on Thursday, according to China’s commerce ministry, a view that contrasts with a US statement that a “handful” of countries objected. “The issues related to excess industrial capacity and forced labour have been highly controversial,” a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said in a statement on Sunday about the two-day G20 Trade... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369703/most-g20-trade-ministers-reject-us-call-curbing-excess-capacity-china-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369703/most-g20-trade-ministers-reject-us-call-curbing-excess-capacity-china-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Oct 2026 10:38:50 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat The race to loosen China’s grip on tungsten is moving to Kazakhstan, where United States-backed mining projects are attempting to compete in an industry where Chinese investment already has an operating foothold. Global tungsten prices have surged more than 200 per cent since May 2025, according to commodity and energy information provider Argus Media, adding urgency to efforts to develop alternative supplies. The soaring costs followed Beijing’s export controls on selected tungsten products... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369599/china-has-dominated-tungsten-decades-can-us-cash-central-asia-loosen-its-grip?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369599/china-has-dominated-tungsten-decades-can-us-cash-central-asia-loosen-its-grip?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Oct 2026 01:00:14 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Republican Senator Steve Daines, a close aide to President Donald Trump and a key interlocutor between Washington and Beijing, has called on the two capitals to stay engaged and “not retreat” over differences on issues including rare earth supply chains. Daines told the South China Morning Post that both sides still had issues that predated Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington last week and that they would continue working on them after the summit. “So that’s again why... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369505/no-retreat-key-trump-ally-urges-continued-us-china-engagement-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369505/no-retreat-key-trump-ally-urges-continued-us-china-engagement-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva named China as a possible partner in his critical minerals plans, three days before Sunday’s closely fought election. Lula told Flow, one of the country’s most-watched podcasts, on Thursday evening that Brazil should stop shipping out raw ore. “We want to transform them here in Brazil,” he said of the minerals. Asked whether China fit into his plans, Lula said it could be a partner “bringing technology to us”, as could the United States. “[Donald]... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369636/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-rival-pitches-rare-earths-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369636/brazils-lula-hails-bold-chinese-investors-rival-pitches-rare-earths-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 21:04:21 +0000 Teresa Elena Frontado,Igor Patrick Teresa Elena Frontado,Igor Patrick Panama’s comptroller general said on Friday that his office would send prosecutors more audit material on former executives of CK Hutchison’s local subsidiary next week, as part of a criminal investigation into the Hong Kong conglomerate’s annulled Panama Canal ports concession. Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Anel Flores said prosecutors had requested documents concerning Panama Ports Company (PPC), the operator of the Balboa and Cristobal terminals at either end of the canal... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369635/panama-auditor-targets-ex-port-regulators-and-hong-kong-firms-executives-canal-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369635/panama-auditor-targets-ex-port-regulators-and-hong-kong-firms-executives-canal-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 19:10:10 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trump condemns ‘sick conspiracy’ against AI, says he is only guardrail needed US President Donald Trump downplayed growing concerns about artificial intelligence, claiming America already has guardrails to regulate the industry and warning that casting doubt on development only benefits... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369257/america-back-ai-conspiracy-chinas-laos-deal-7-global-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369257/america-back-ai-conspiracy-chinas-laos-deal-7-global-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:00:15 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings A reported move by the United States to restrict exports of aircraft parts to China would place another speed bump on production of the C919 – a Chinese passenger jet designed to compete with Airbus and Boeing – as alternative sources of critical components for the plane are not readily available, according to analysts. The US Commerce Department has slowed export licensing for civilian aeroplane parts to China in recent weeks to strengthen Washington’s position in trade talks with Beijing,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369588/chinas-c919-jet-faces-further-delivery-delays-amid-us-export-chill-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369588/chinas-c919-jet-faces-further-delivery-delays-amid-us-export-chill-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Jianlu Bi Jianlu Bi Not so long ago, Washington’s approach to relations with Beijing was anchored by a single assertive phrase: dealing “from a position of strength”. It was rooted in a unipolar mindset: a belief that the United States could dictate terms, manage competition unilaterally and demand compliance from a distance. Yet, at their recent summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump formally established a new strategic framework: a “constructive strategic stability relationship based... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3369233/how-us-went-position-strength-gung-ho-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3369233/how-us-went-position-strength-gung-ho-china?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:30:09 +0000 Orange Wang,Carol Yang Orange Wang,Carol Yang Zheng Yongnian is a political scientist in China and a government adviser. His academic work is mainly about contemporary China, particularly politics, the country’s transformation and its external relations. SCMP Plus readers get early access to articles in the Open Questions series. Many have offered a lukewarm assessment of the Xi-Trump summit in Washington, citing the lack of a breakthrough. What is your take? There are two primary views right now. One is nihilism, which holds that China and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369546/zheng-yongnian-what-expect-future-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369546/zheng-yongnian-what-expect-future-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:02:11 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Thursday that there is no timeline yet for implementing the US-China Board of Trade, one of the key economic outcomes of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington last week. Speaking on the sidelines of the Group of 20 Trade Ministers’ meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Greer said the tariff reductions under the mechanism were “a policy outcome” and that the recommendations would have to go through a legal process before... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/economy-trade-business/article/3369490/greer-says-no-specific-timeline-set-enforcing-us-china-board-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/economy-trade-business/article/3369490/greer-says-no-specific-timeline-set-enforcing-us-china-board-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 22:54:03 +0000 Teresa Elena Frontado Teresa Elena Frontado Chinese President Xi Jinping has left Washington, but he still has a place at the White House. At least two, in fact. Two different photographs of Xi with US President Donald Trump feature on its walls: a handshake image that Trump showed his guest during last week’s state visit, and another beside a Palm Room doorway showing the presidents standing side by side. Journalist Jacqueline Alemany shared an image of the Palm Room display on social media, noting that photographs of Trump with Xi and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369485/xi-leaves-washington-keeps-least-two-places-white-house-walls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369485/xi-leaves-washington-keeps-least-two-places-white-house-walls?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 19:10:11 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering US-China relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Trade, Taiwan and ‘strategic stability’: key Xi-Trump takeaways overall Here are the key takeaways from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s whirlwind 43-hour trip to the United States, his first state visit to the country in more than a decade, after US President Donald Trump pulled out all the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369255/xi-trump-meetings-takeaways-successes-and-fallout-7-us-china-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369255/xi-trump-meetings-takeaways-successes-and-fallout-7-us-china-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:21 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China pledges to ‘firmly support’ Cuba as US escalates pressure on Havana China will stand by Cuba in defending its sovereignty and resisting outside interference, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said as Washington stepped up its campaign to force political change in Havana. Read... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369252/china-backs-cuba-beijings-panama-threat-new-un-chief-7-latin-america-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369252/china-backs-cuba-beijings-panama-threat-new-un-chief-7-latin-america-relations-reads?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:14 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth The Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has described the personal rapport and “mutual respect” between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump as the “most valuable strategic asset in our bilateral relations”. “Their personal connection and in-depth dialogue have helped keep China-US relations on course at critical moments,” Xie said during a speech on Wednesday marking National Day celebrations at the Chinese embassy in Washington. “Head-of-state diplomacy... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369402/xi-trump-rapport-most-valuable-strategic-asset-us-china-ties-envoy-xie-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369402/xi-trump-rapport-most-valuable-strategic-asset-us-china-ties-envoy-xie-says?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Oct 2026 01:58:50 +0000 Han Li Han Li At a hearing reviewing China’s compliance with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, a senior US trade official said Beijing was targeting entire industrial sectors for global dominance while retaining a non-market economic system. Terry McCartin, Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for China, Mongolia and Taiwan Affairs, said China’s anticompetitive behaviour posed a major challenge to the global trading system. “More critically, after 25 years of WTO membership, China still... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369395/us-criticises-chinas-wto-compliance-industry-groups-mount-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369395/us-criticises-chinas-wto-compliance-industry-groups-mount-complaints?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 22:43:04 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Wednesday proposed a new global framework to tackle excess steel production capacity on the sidelines of the ongoing Group of 20 Trade Ministers’ meeting, just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States. “The United States has taken robust measures, and it probably makes sense for other countries to do that too,” Greer said after a meeting of the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity (GFSEC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Well,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369393/us-targets-chinas-steel-capacity-g20-days-after-xis-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369393/us-targets-chinas-steel-capacity-g20-days-after-xis-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:30:34 +0000 Igor Patrick Igor Patrick China will charge an extra 55 per cent tariff on Brazilian beef from Thursday after Brazil filled its import quota for the year and has not agreed to let Brazilian exporters use the unfilled quota of neighbouring Uruguay, industry sources said. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced the surtax on Wednesday, a day after China’s customs administration confirmed that Brazil had used all of its 1.106 million-tonne allowance for 2026, and under the rules the extra tariff applies from the third... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369390/china-slaps-55-cent-tariff-brazilian-beef-rebuffs-bid-borrow-uruguays-quota?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369390/china-slaps-55-cent-tariff-brazilian-beef-rebuffs-bid-borrow-uruguays-quota?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:07:56 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li For years, Chinese manufacturers have viewed Southeast Asia as a way to reduce exposure to higher US duties on goods made in China. But a new round of tariff cuts proposed by Washington and Beijing could weaken that incentive for some products, potentially changing the economics of the strategy. Under the new US-China Board of Trade, more than 90 per cent of Chinese products on a list of goods worth US$30 billion – mostly everyday consumer items, such as toys and household goods – would return... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369373/has-us-china-tariff-deal-eroded-southeast-asias-tariff-edge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369373/has-us-china-tariff-deal-eroded-southeast-asias-tariff-edge?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:11:54 +0000 Sherry Wang Sherry Wang China has pledged to step up grain production, including soybeans, to ensure domestic supplies amid heightened volatility in global food markets, even as the country has just proposed cutting tariffs on a range of US agricultural products. The push comes as China’s grain supply is expected to come under growing pressure from rising demand in the coming years, while the country remains heavily dependent on overseas soybean supplies. Soybeans were excluded from the latest tariff-relief deal... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369291/china-pledges-more-domestic-grain-supply-after-excluding-us-soybeans-tariff-cuts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369291/china-pledges-more-domestic-grain-supply-after-excluding-us-soybeans-tariff-cuts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:00:06 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he does not want to work with China on addressing artificial intelligence (AI) risks, arguing that cooperation could undermine America’s lead in the fast-moving technology, as he announced a voluntary accord signed by the leaders of six major US tech companies to address growing concerns surrounding the technology. “Whoever wins superintelligence wins. You’re gonna have a winner and a loser, and you’re probably not gonna have a second place,” Trump said... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369254/trump-rejects-calls-work-china-ai-safety-despite-xi-summit-progress?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369254/trump-rejects-calls-work-china-ai-safety-despite-xi-summit-progress?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:32:03 +0000 Nayan Seth Nayan Seth US soybean farmers have described the exclusion of US soybeans from China’s import list under the newly announced Board of Trade mechanism as a “missed opportunity”, even as Beijing ramped up purchases of the crop ahead of last week’s summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. The trade forum, unveiled by both sides on Sunday, covered a range of US agricultural products for export to China, including meat, dairy, corn, wheat, sorghum and vegetable oils, but... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3369119/missed-opportunity-us-soybean-farmers-question-exclusion-china-tariff-cuts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/us/diplomacy/article/3369119/missed-opportunity-us-soybean-farmers-question-exclusion-china-tariff-cuts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 22:48:25 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat The United States is considering restrictions on some previously approved foreign-made drones, a move that could expand its push to build a domestic industry in a commercial market long dominated by Chinese manufacturers such as DJI. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering whether to prohibit the continued marketing and import of certain previously authorised models, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said. Speaking in a discussion with Lisa Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369087/us-weighs-tighter-restrictions-foreign-drones-could-chinese-makers-lose-ground?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3369087/us-weighs-tighter-restrictions-foreign-drones-could-chinese-makers-lose-ground?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 13:00:24 +0000 Djoomart Otorbaev Djoomart Otorbaev The global electronics industry is entering a structural transition. For over two decades, China served as the dominant manufacturing centre, with an unmatched concentration of suppliers, skilled labour, infrastructure, logistics and engineering capabilities. That concentration is being diluted. But interpreting this as the decline of Chinese manufacturing would be a mistake. China is exporting parts of its manufacturing process while retaining the industrial capabilities that matter... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3368704/china-no-longer-just-worlds-factory-its-hq?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3368704/china-no-longer-just-worlds-factory-its-hq?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:30:13 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Stabilising ties between the world’s two largest economies, fortified by US President Donald Trump’s hosting of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Washington last week, have soothed the nerves of American businesses in China, which no longer see frayed bilateral ties as their primary challenge, according to prominent business chambers. “For enterprises, the stability of trade policies and export control measures will help reduce uncertainty,” said Eric Zheng, president of the American Chamber... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3369073/us-firms-china-return-focus-local-rivals-bilateral-tensions-ebb?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/article/3369073/us-firms-china-return-focus-local-rivals-bilateral-tensions-ebb?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 10:02:25 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma China agreed to import at least 10 million tonnes of US coal in each of the next two years, marking one of the few concrete results from President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States. The country will also lower tariffs on 1,619 US products, including coal, under a deal to reduce levies on US$30 billion of non-sensitive goods shipped in each direction, according to a White House statement. Other items include agricultural goods, cosmetics and medical devices. The US will cut levies on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369060/china-resuming-us-coal-imports-among-thin-list-summit-outcomes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3369060/china-resuming-us-coal-imports-among-thin-list-summit-outcomes?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:16:13 +0000 Xinyi Wu,Mandy Zuo,Alice Li Xinyi Wu,Mandy Zuo,Alice Li The United States and China released details about the non-sensitive goods set for tariff reductions and their agreement to set up an agricultural trade working group after President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US last week, though any progress on the two countries’ dispute over rare earths remains absent from official statements. The White House released the lists of the US$30 billion worth of goods on each side recommended for tariff reductions on Sunday, which comprised 77 categories of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369036/us-china-slash-tariffs-basic-goods-crucial-rare-earths-debate-left-record?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/china-economy/article/3369036/us-china-slash-tariffs-basic-goods-crucial-rare-earths-debate-left-record?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Sep 2026 07:00:36 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Scott Kennedy is a senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. His areas of focus include China’s hi-tech drive, US-China relations and global economic governance. Open Questions first appeared in SCMP Plus. For other interviews in the Open Questions series, click here. How would you characterise the outcomes of the China-US summit compared to expectations going in? Is it largely a continuation of that track or do you... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368936/scott-kennedy-chinas-slow-tech-dragon-and-2-more-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368936/scott-kennedy-chinas-slow-tech-dragon-and-2-more-xi-trump-meetings?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Scott Kennedy is a senior adviser and trustee chair in Chinese business and economics at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. His areas of focus include China’s hi-tech drive, US-China relations and global economic governance. SCMP Plus readers get early access to articles in the Open Questions series. How would you characterise the outcomes of the China-US summit compared to expectations going in? Is it largely a continuation of that track or do you see it moving the relationship... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368961/scott-kennedy-xi-trump-summit-and-us-china-instability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3368961/scott-kennedy-xi-trump-summit-and-us-china-instability?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 21:00:13 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu As President Xi Jinping wrapped up his visit to the United States, observers in Europe welcomed the stabilisation of ties between the world’s two largest economies – particularly the two-month extension of their trade truce. But some also fear the continent risks being sidelined by bilateral negotiations in which it had no seat at the table, and opinion is split on whether this is good news for the next round of the European Union’s trade talks with China. “The stabilisation of relations between... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368938/why-xis-us-trip-leaves-europe-relieved-trade-truce-wary-what-comes-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/economy/global-economy/article/3368938/why-xis-us-trip-leaves-europe-relieved-trade-truce-wary-what-comes-next?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:01:19 +0000 Regina Ip Regina Ip As China has emerged as a peer competitor to the United States in many areas, an increasingly familiar question is whether it has become a superpower. The question, however, may rest on a definition of power that belongs to another era. China possesses many attributes traditionally associated with great powers: a large population, vast territory, a major economy, advanced technological capabilities and growing military strength. Yet Beijing describes China as a “major country” rather than a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3368671/how-china-seeking-transform-meaning-great-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3368671/how-china-seeking-transform-meaning-great-power?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 21:30:08 +0000