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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.
A soybean field in Lincoln, Nebraska. US soybeans were excluded from a tariff-reduction list jointly issued by China's commerce ministry and the White House. Photo: AP
Mainland China

‘Missed opportunity’: US soybean farmers question China tariff cuts exclusion

Before the Xi-Trump summit last week, analysts and industry experts expected soybeans to be included in tariff-reduced arrangement.

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US-China tech war

As US weighs tighter curbs on foreign drones, could Chinese makers lose ground?

China manufacturing

Opinion | China is no longer just the world’s factory. It’s the HQ

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

US firms in China return focus to local rivals as bilateral ties mend

As relationship stabilises, bilateral ties drop to second place among concerns of US companies, according to business chambers.

Flags of China and the US adorn a car in the motorcade of US President Donald Trump as he visits the National Archives Museum with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 25, 2026, in Washington. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

China resuming US coal imports among thin list of summit outcomes

President Xi Jinping agreed to buy at least 10 million tonnes of US coal in each of the next two years after a White House summit with US President Donald Trump.

US-China relations

US, China slash tariffs on basic goods – but leave rare earths off the record

Tariffs waived on lengthy US$30 billion list of items including linen, fireworks and crockery will not ‘dramatically reshape’ trade: analyst.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | Scott Kennedy on China’s ‘slow tech dragon’ and 2 more Xi-Trump meetings

American adviser on Chinese business and economics highlights different phases of US-China relations over the past 50 years.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Open Questions | Scott Kennedy on the Xi-Trump summit and US-China instability

Washington think-tanker considers the outcome of the White House meeting, the future of bilateral ties and three ways China’s economic model will be forced to change.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

Why Xi’s US trip leaves Europe relieved by trade truce – but wary of the future

The summit in Washington eases near-term uncertainty over rare earths, but analysts fear the bloc could have less say over decisions shaping its economic interests.

Diplomacy

Opinion | How China is seeking to transform the meaning of great power

By promoting a more just world order, Beijing hopes to exercise influence without making domination the organising principle of international relations.

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Illustration: Dennis Yip
China-Latin America relations

Exclusive | China-based Brics bank set for hunger alliance lead role this year, Brazil says

Brazilian minister Wellington Dias tells SCMP a fund to cut borrowing costs for the poor may launch by December as US marginalises the G20.

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Brazil’s Minister of Social Development, Wellington Dias (centre), speaks at the United Nations General Assembly's high-level plenary session on Social Business, Youth, and Technology on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Trade truce aside, was AI the real Xi-Trump summit breakthrough?

New AI dialogue becomes latest formal channel to manage competition while coming leader-level meetings grant further room to stabilise ties, analysts say.

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Hong Kong economy

Xi-Trump summit: Hong Kong’s Paul Chan predicts positive market response

Local business representatives expect that greater stability in bilateral ties may reinforce the city’s role as a connector between markets.

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US-China relations

Asian Angle | Southeast Asia faces a false binary in US-China mineral trade

The real question for rare earth exporters is how to turn global mineral competition into higher-value industries.

The Lynas Rare Earths processing plant in Gebeng, Malaysia. Photo: AFP
2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi-Trump atmospherics welcomed but mask structural rifts: analysts

That two economic and military giants are talking – and pledging to talk some more – suggests some period of relative stability with caveats.

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US President Donald Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to a state dinner in the East Room of the White House on Thursday in Washington. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

As I see it | China and the US can make nice, if not peace

Outright enmity is too costly for both superpowers. Even without trust, shared interests leave room for pragmatic cooperation.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

Xi ends Trump visit with vow to meet again in China this year – as it happened

Chinese president’s three-day visit ends with plans for two more face-to-face talks with Trump this year.

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2026 Xi-Trump summits

How China’s wartime cooperatives gave us ‘gung-ho’

Trump’s mention of a ‘Chinese phrase’ may have puzzled some, but the US Marine Corps adopted gung-ho from the name of wartime cooperatives.

Not only has gung-ho – derived from the Chinese gong he – entered the English dictionary, but it also features in the names of several awards associated with the US Marine Corps. Photo: The Boston Globe via Getty Images
2026 Xi-Trump summits

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

The celebrated museum’s Chinese art collection and longstanding ties with China made it a fitting stop for first ladies’ 45-minute tour.

2026 Xi-Trump summits

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

The personal thread may be intact, but the US agricultural partnership that once gave it weight is not.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
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.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice-Premier He Lifeng met in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: X/SecScottBessent
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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