The tightening of the rates on Chinese goods, announced by the new tenant of the White House, Donald Trump, reopens a duel never really closed. Today, 10 February, theLast burst of dutiesdestined to hit an extended range of products from the Asian giant.
Beijing, without waiting for signs of dialogue, replied with a counter -move: rates up to 15% of 14 billion dollars of American imports. The arm wrestling is rekindled without preambles, with the risk of dragging the entire global commercial chessboard in yet another escalation.
Commercial exchanges of billionaires between China and the USA
The commercial exchange between the United States and China is an unstoppable machine, capable of grinding colossal volumes. In 2024 he passed i 530 billion dollarsconfirming Beijing as a pillar of the supply for Washington. In 2022 he had already touched 690 billion, touching the records of the past.
From American shelves to assembly chains, Chinese products are omnipresent: electronics, machinery, textiles and clothing fill the shipments to the United States. But Beijingdespite the tensions, does not stop Take for American agricultural productsin particular soy, and remains dependent on its exports to feed its economy in an increasingly fragmented market.
Industrial strategies and accusations of unfair competition
Chinese government support for its industries continues to be one of the hottest points of the clash with the United States. Washington accuses Beijing of subsidize massively their own industrial giantscreating a competitive advantage that distorts the global market. Despite the protectionist measures launched in recent years, Chinese products maintain a dominant presence, around barriers and remaining essential for the western production chains.
While the United States raises the shot, Beijing does not stay to watch: China responds to the duties. The retaliation came with rates between 10% and 15% of 14 billion dollars of American imports, hitting strategic sectors. In the viewfinder the Liquefied natural gasThe coalthe agricultural equipment and the luxury cars.
China also plays The rare lands charter (a group of 17 fundamental chemical elements to produce advanced technologies), critical asset for the US technological and defense industry, sending an unequivocal signal: the clash has entered a new phase, and no one can afford to underestimate the consequences.
Rates and negotiations: a story of clashes and tree
We do not make words, the clash is between two empires. The arm wrestling between Washington and Beijing is a script already seen, but this time the protagonists seem even more determined to not give ground. During the first term of Trump, the American administration decided to play the custom -barriers card on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese products. Beijing replied blow by blow, dragging the two superpowers in a commercial war that rewritten the dynamics of global trade. The “phase one” of the next agreement should have signed one respitewith China committed to buying US goods for 200 billion dollars. But then the pandemic came, and only the intention remained of those commitments.
Now the climate overheats again. Donald Trump threatens a new duty of 25% on steel and aluminumdusting off the 2018 strategy. Analysts warn from the risk of a domino effect that could involve an even wider range of sectors, from agri -food technology.
Changes of strategy between the American administrations
With the arrival of Joes Biden in the White House, the rates were not eliminated, but the strategy moved to an even more targeted front: the block for the export of semiconductor and sensitive technologies towards Beijing. Washington wanted to prevent China from exploiting strategic components for the military and industrial sector. Meanwhile, new restrictions affected the production of electric vehicles and batteries, with the aim of containing the wave of low -cost Chinese products that was overwhelming western competitiveness.
Then, the challenge glove became even heavier. Last May, the United States sank a hit of $ 18 billion against Chinese imports, with higher rates on electric cars and semiconductors. Trump’s return to the White House reopened the commercial dossier with an even more ruthless approach: New duties, less concessions, harder rhetoric.
If Chinese products no longer find space in the United States, they could pour into mass on other marketsincreasing the exchange with emerging economies such as Mexico, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
