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.
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Open Questions series

Open Questions | Trump-Xi summits: an inside view with US ex-diplomat William Klein

Former diplomat posted to Beijing speaks on Iran, Taiwan and global supply chains as details of Xi-Trump meeting are worked out.

videocam
Rare earths

China reports ‘stunning’ critical minerals finds as hi-tech US race heats up

videocam
13
China manufacturing

China’s exports are booming – so why are plants in this factory hub closing?

US-China relations

US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests

House Select Committee says Beijing using monetary contributions, critical UN posts and strategic troop deployment to expand its reach.

videocam
39
China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, addresses the Security Council at UN headquarters in New York on February 18. Photo: Reuters
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Exclusive | What are the real reasons behind the change of date for Trump’s China visit?

After confirmation that the high-stakes Xi-Trump summit will be delayed, analysts find a complex story beneath the official surface.

videocam
25
United States

Trump administration moves to unify AI rules, bolster edge over China

Policy aims to increase federal government’s ability to ⁠fight national security concerns and counter Beijing’s growing dominance in sector.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China exports

US loses, Europe gains: what’s happening with China’s rare earth magnet exports?

Latest data shows a persistent drop in US-bound shipments and rising European imports.

Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements in this illustration taken on February 6. Photo: Reuters
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Open Questions | US ex-diplomat’s inside view on Trump-Xi summits

Former envoy in Beijing William Klein on US leader’s approach to foreign policy, tariffs, China weaponising rare earths and risks of Taiwan conflict.

videocam
United States

Trump compares Iran attack to Pearl Harbour in otherwise positive Takaichi talks

Two leaders tout bilateral relationship and pledge to work cooperatively on trade.

videocam
71
Banking & finance

How China opened the door to creating a direct rival to US payment systems

Beijing has removed several key restrictions on its payment system, allowing it to expand beyond yuan settlements, economist says.

10
China has been promoting its own cross-border payment system as it seeks to hedge against potential weaponisation of the US financial system. Photo: AFP
United States

Fears grow over US drug supply’s growing dependence on Chinese ingredients

Beijing’s global pharmaceutical push follows same playbook as rare earths, semiconductors and electric vehicles, warn US lawmakers.

videocam
10
The United States’ growing dependence on China’s pharmaceutical industry for its supply chain is concerning US lawmakers. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

US says mainland China has no plans to attack Taiwan in 2027

Beijing seeks to control the island without the use of force, the US intelligence community confirms in its annual report on global threats.

videocam
34
US-China relations

Editorial | China policy to stay on course despite delay to Xi-Trump summit

Although Trump is on the back foot and China may have the advantage, this will not affect Beijing’s consistent approach in dealing with the US.

US-China relations

With Trump’s China trip in limbo, further trade talks loom: analysts

As the US president cites the Iran war for his delay and Paris talks see only minor progress, experts said more negotiations were likely.

videocam
5
US President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order regarding a task force on fraud in the Oval Office of the White House on Monday. Photo: AP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

Trump-Xi summit delay may suit China amid Iran war

Postponing Trump’s visit to Beijing could help avoid potential embarrassments linked to the Iran war and give more time to reach agreements.

Photo: AP
US-China relations

US Section 301 trade investigations

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has announced fresh probes of major economies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

China-Latin America relations

China wants Brazil’s biggest port terminal. Washington just said no

US consul-general Kevin Murakami told port executives the Santos megadeal should not fall into ‘unwanted hands’.

videocam
24
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US-China relations

Beijing on Iran war, Trump trade plan, new AI arena: 7 US-China relations reads

From a new US maritime strategy to the Iran crisis, here are highlights from SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of March 2026.

Plumes of smoke rise over Tehran, Iran, on March 1. Photo: Mowj/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images/TNS
US-China relations

China and the US end trade talks in Paris as doubts form over Trump visit

The two sides held deep, frank and constructive consultations, China’s top international negotiator says.

videocam
28
Donald Trump’s China policy

Why Trump pushing China to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz may hurt trade talks

US president’s threat to delay summit with Xi adds uncertainty to Paris negotiations, analysts say.

videocam
19
Asean

Can Asean break free from US-China supply chain grip?

The bloc will look for new markets and deepen regional cooperation to reduce trade uncertainty, economic ministers say.

videocam
Regional ministers pose for a group photo during the Asean Economic Ministers’ Retreat in Manila on Friday. Photo: EPA
Mainland China

China and US trade talks off to a low-key start after first meeting in Paris

Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of crucial Xi-Trump summit later this month in Beijing.

videocam
11
The Chinese delegation arrives in Paris for trade talks with the United States on Sunday. The first meeting between the world’s two biggest economies proved to be a low-key affair. Photo: EPA
US-China relations

Opinion | 3 realities shaping China-US tech competition

Beijing’s policy priorities point to a more intense, multidimensional contest, with a smaller but still meaningful space for cooperation.

videocam
5
United States

China and US begin fresh round of trade talks in Paris

Discussions expected to focus on trade, investment and rare earths ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to China later this month.

Mainland China

US-China trade talks: what to expect as senior officials meet in Paris

Both sides have short-term incentives to maintain their ‘trade truce’ so they can focus on dealing with domestic issues, analysts say.

videocam
9
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, left, shakes hands with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng during trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland, last year. The two officials are set to lead another round of talks in Paris this weekend. Photo: Reuters
War and conflict

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

videocam
13
US President Donald Trump gestures during a visit to Verst Logistics in Hebron, Kentucky, US, on March 11. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Trade talks, ‘raising lobsters’, tech earnings

This week: US-China trade negotiators ready for talks in Paris, AI agent OpenClaw sweeps China, the ‘two sessions’ ends and exports surge. Next week: Tencent and Alibaba post earnings, retail sales leads data rush, Japan’s Takaichi visits the White House and more.

United States

Trump’s tariff investigation ‘bluff’ will not work on China, analysts warn

Beijing has grown wise to the US president’s ‘art of the deal’ tactics and will not be fazed by the new Section 301 investigations, analysts say.

10
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement