March 2018
In 2018, trade tensions between China and the United States escalated into a sustained tariff and technology conflict, marking a turning point in bilateral economic relations.
Background
Long-standing disputes over trade balances, market access, intellectual property, and
industrial policy intensified as the United States imposed tariffs on Chinese goods.
China responded with countermeasures. The conflict expanded beyond tariffs to include
technology restrictions, export controls, and investment screening, signaling a shift
from engagement to strategic competition.
Legacy
– Accelerated economic decoupling pressures
– Elevated technology and supply-chain security concerns
– Reframed China-US relations as structural rivalry