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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.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Oval Office of the White House. Photo: AP
LIVE

AI war, Taiwan and translation: SCMP answers your questions from Xi-Trump summit

China Editor Wendy Wu tackles reader queries in this live question-and-answer session, after the two leaders’ closely watched summit.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Inside Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan’s visit to the Smithsonian’s Peacock Room

2026 Xi-Trump summits

In Focus | What Xi’s letter to old friends in Iowa means in an altered America

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Donald Trump

US senators delay effort to permanently ban Chinese cars

Proposed ban is a move to ensure that hundreds of thousands of US automotive jobs are not at risk of ‘total domination’ by Chinese car firms.

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US Senator Elissa Slotkin backs a permanent ban on Chinese cars in the United States. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

B-2 Spirit, AI cooperation, no US-China conflict: key Xi-Trump takeaways so far

In morning remarks of state visit’s second day, US president and Chinese leader seek to project image of stability between the two sides.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi talks up US friendship ‘forged in blood’ at state dinner – as it happened

Following an unprecedented reception upon landing, formal proceedings – including talks – between the two leaders took place today.

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Chinese offshore investment

China is investing record amounts overseas. Why are US-bound flows plunging?

Chinese investment in the US has fallen to its lowest level since 2011 amid tighter scrutiny and trade tensions.

Chinese outbound direct investment was up 11.1 per cent in 2025 year on year, according to a new government report. Photo: Shutterstock
2026 Xi-Trump summits

What a 2-month trade-truce extension reveals as US-China rifts persist

Analysts say that the relatively short window, while a positive sign, could also raise pressure on both Beijing and Washington.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, China agree two-month trade truce extension ahead of summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping received a rare runway reception after touching down on Wednesday ahead of a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

‘Deep respect’: analysts weigh in on Trump’s red carpet welcome for Xi

Elaborate greeting ceremony immediately preceded by extension of tariff truce, both positive early signs for Chinese leader’s trip.

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US President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi lands in US for high-stakes summit with Trump amid deep tensions

Chinese leader begins 48-hour visit as Trump seeks progress on AI, Iran, rare earths and trade, with expectations for deals low.

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US President Donald Trump (right) greets Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi calls for cooperation with US after Trump’s airport welcome – as it happened

The Chinese president began a three-day visit to Washington, with a host of vital topics to be discussed.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

All you need to know about a state visit, as US rolls out red carpet for Xi

On these grand occasions, which aim to strengthen relationships between countries, it’s more than just pomp and pageantry involved.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Bessent announces 2-month extension of US-China trade truce

Scott Bessent and He Lifeng held an unscheduled meeting in Washington on Wednesday following Sunday’s productive trade talks.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng pose for a photograph at their meeting in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: @SecScottBessent/X
China consumption

Boosting China’s social safety net could address consumption woes: IMF director

The global organisation found that savings of rural households decrease when social and healthcare spending is higher.

People wait outside a busy restaurant in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

China CEOs to likely miss Xi’s US trip amid thin summit expectations

Plans for a Chinese business delegation to join Xi on his visit to the US are in doubt amid a lack of agreement on investments.

China energy security

China launches ‘mineral exploration offensive’ amid growing global uncertainties

Beijing is scouring the nation for resources ranging from oil to rare earths, as it tries to shield its economy from rising geopolitical turbulence.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Exclusive | Split on US investments stalls Chinese business visit alongside Xi, sources say

With the window for travel narrowing by the hour, uncertainty surrounds the inclusion of corporate leaders in China’s delegation.

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A military honour guard rehearses with the US and Chinese flags at the White House in preparation for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summits

US law enforcement ups security for Xi summit as welcome, protest events planned

US Secret Service says it is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all foreign heads of state while they are on American soil.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trump praises Takaichi for doing ‘tremendous job’ ahead of Xi’s visit to US

Two leaders hail their good working relationship, with Sanae Takaichi saying the United States and Japan can look forward to deepening ties.

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China-Latin America relations

Lula backs China peace push at UN, tells US that Brazil is ‘no one’s backyard’

Brazilian leader criticises tariffs and military pressure while demanding domestic benefits from foreign access to critical minerals.

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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why China’s top AI pioneers are expected to miss this week’s Xi-Trump summit

Beijing has not officially announced details of the delegation, but the leaders of DeepSeek and Moonshot AI are absent from the reported list.

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President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14. Photo: Kyodo
US-China relations

Opinion | Xi and Trump face their greatest challenge yet: building US-China trust

AI is the test case. A foundational agreement will prove trust is possible – otherwise, mistrust will harden and the detente will dissolve.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US tightens Japan, South Korea ties ahead of Trump-Xi summit

Days before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s arrival in Washington, the US underscored relations with Japan and South Korea.

China trade

Once key economic weapon, US-China soy trade offers fragile relief from tensions

As the two nations address disputes ahead of the Trump-Xi summit, some American soybean farmers say they are in a better position than in 2025.

A farmer shovels soybeans in Nebraska on April 6. Photo: AP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Rare earths friction threatens to stall trade truce extension ahead of Xi summit

US trade representative blames China for creating ‘uncertainty’ but observers point to benefits for both sides in delaying agreement.

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China controls much of the world’s processing capacity for rare earths, which are vital for defence systems, robotics and electric vehicles. Photo: AP Photo
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump path to ‘constructive strategic stability’

When the presidents of the United States and China meet in Washington, the world will be watching to see whether their two countries can make good on their agreement to work towards “constructive strategic stability”. In this series, we examine where both powers stand ahead of the high-stakes summit.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US, China need nuclear-style AI safeguards, congressman says before Xi summit

Top Democrat on the House China committee calls for international inspections of leading AI laboratories and a ban on self-improving systems.

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