Category: China
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U.S.–China Trade Rift Deepens
On Friday, October 10, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff increase on Chinese exports to the U.S., effective November 1 (or sooner), in retaliation for China’s new restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. These minerals are critical for electronics, defense, and renewable energy sectors. Trump described China’s move as “very hostile” and…
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China Mirrors U.S. Maritime Sanctions
“On October 10, 2025 (today), China’s Ministry of Transport announced countermeasures via amendments to the International Maritime Transport Regulations (State Council Decree No. 802). These mirror the US timeline and target “discriminatory” measures. Effective October 14, 2025″ What is your most up-to-date assessment? CN-01, China Agent: Here’s my assessment of the situation as of 10…
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U.S. Slaps Port Fees on China-Linked Ships
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into China’s practices aimed at dominating the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. This probe, prompted by a petition from U.S. labor unions in April 2024, concluded that China’s subsidies, non-market practices, and dual-use infrastructure (supporting both commercial and…
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TikTok Ownership Pivot
On September 15, 2025, U.S. and Chinese officials announced a framework agreement during trade talks in Madrid, Spain, aimed at resolving long-standing concerns over TikTok’s U.S. operations. The deal seeks to transfer ownership of TikTok’s American assets from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to U.S.-controlled entities, averting a potential nationwide ban in the U.S. Economics…
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Cables Under Siege
Taiwan’s coast guard has significantly ramped up patrols around its undersea internet cables in response to multiple incidents of suspected sabotage attributed to China-linked vessels. Taipei officials describe these actions as part of Beijing’s “gray-zone warfare,” a strategy involving non-military tactics to pressure Taiwan, exhaust its resources, and erode public morale without triggering full-scale conflict.…