You know what a knight in shining armor the president of America is, swooping in to save and solve disasters he created, just so he could do the swooping? Yeah, he has done it again. 351p5q

Donald Trump has successfully ruined America’s relationship with long-term allies with his insulting remarks, boasts, and, of course, his damaging tariffs that he keeps applying and removing. Yep, that’s the president, and apparently his formula to achieve greatness for America. Perhaps the most visible example of his mood swings and their aftereffects has been the tariff drama with China. It escalated to the point where China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% in April, signaling a firm stance against U.S. protectionism. In a bid to stabilize relations, both nations agreed to a 90-day mutual reduction of tariffs in May, with the U.S. decreasing tariffs to 30% and China to 10%.

However, President Trump later accused China of violating this truce, leading to renewed tensions and market volatility. China has publicly condemned him for his tariff policies, labeling them as “bullying” and warning him in advance of the risks of a global recession, something even American stock experts and economic experts have warned. The Chinese government has also expressed readiness to confront any form of conflict, including trade wars, asserting its determination to protect national interests.

But did Trump learn anything? NOPE.

Apparently, the man had previously “saved” China from a dire economic situation by negotiating a swift trade deal that stabilized China’s economy, but apparently they betrayed him by “totally violating” the of that deal. As usual, he failed to provide any concrete details.

So, what did Trump get out of feeling all self-important and playing the victim? He managed to piss off China even further as they hit out with a warning to America to “cease discriminatory restrictions against China,” “immediately correct its erroneous actions,” and and tly uphold the consensus reached at “the high-level talks in Geneva.”

What will happen next? Knowing Trump, he will probably throw a tantrum, cry wolf, and engage in re-escalation of trade tensions between the two nations.

Beijing has strongly protested against the United States after the Trump istration canceled the visas of Chinese students studying at American universities. The Chinese government called the move “unreasonable” and unfair, accusing the U.S. of being hypocritical in its claims of ing freedom and openness.

According to The Guardian, the decision, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focuses on “aggressively revok[ing] visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist party or studying in critical fields. We will also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.”

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally opposed the U.S. decision, saying it “seriously damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and disrupted the normal cultural exchanges between the two countries.” The ministry’s spokesperson, Mao Ning, stated that the U.S. move goes against its claims of ing freedom and openness, damaging its reputation and credibility worldwide. Per Newsweek, Beijing urged Washington to protect the legal rights of international students, including those from China.

China calling US out on its discrimination of Chinese students k4z56

The exact number of students affected by the visa cancellations is still unknown, but Rubio’s use of the word “aggressively” suggests that many students will be impacted quickly. The State Department also paused all student visa appointments worldwide, supposedly to review screening procedures, which affects students from many countries. This follows an earlier attempt by the Trump istration to block all international students from Harvard University, a decision that was temporarily stopped by a court order. These actions suggest a major change in U.S. policy toward Chinese students.

This decision comes at a time when U.S.-China relations are already tense. While there has been recent progress in trade talks, the visa issue has worsened tensions. The U.S. action is part of the broader competition between major powers, with the White House expressing worries that some Chinese students might be using the visa system to help China’s interests.

This concern is heightened by the large number of Chinese students in the U.S. education system. In the 2023 to 2024 school year, more than 270,000 Chinese students made up about a quarter of all international students in the U.S., contributing significant revenue to American universities.

The Trump istration’s actions also single out Chinese students in certain fields of study, raising further concerns about the effect on academic cooperation and research. Past U.S. governments have also closely examined Chinese students, especially those in sensitive fields or with military ties.

China has been quick to help those hurt by the Trump istration, and even Harvard is fighting back with a lawsuit. The consequences go beyond the immediate impact on individual students. American universities, which depend heavily on tuition fees from international students, including many from China, could face financial losses. The move might also discourage future Chinese students from studying in the U.S., reducing American campuses’ diversity and intellectual energy.

The Trump istration’s effort to stop Harvard University from itting international students has led to a major global reaction. China has stepped in to provide “unconditional offers” to students impacted by the decision. This development came after the istration canceled Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which essentially blocked the university from taking in foreign students for the 2025 to 2026 school year.

According to The Independant, around 1,300 Chinese students were affected, making up about one-fifth of Harvard’s total international student body. The istration defended its decision by claiming the university had issues with antisemitism and was working with the Chinese Communist Party (C). The istration’s move was quickly met with legal opposition.

Per The Guardian, A federal judge temporarily stopped the ban from being enforced, calling it a “clear violation of the constitution” and warning that it could cause “immediate and irreversible harm” to Harvard. This temporary hold, along with Harvard’s own legal efforts, left many students in limbo. The university stressed that losing the ability to enroll international students would put it at a major disadvantage in competing for the world’s top talent, noting how crucial these students are to maintaining its academic reputation.

China will take the students Harvard is forced to reject 1o3g38

Following the controversy, China took swift action by urging its universities to welcome students displaced by the ban. Hong Kong’s education secretary called on local universities to offer and attract “top students from around the world.” Hong Kong, home to five of the world’s top 100 universities, presented itself as a new center for education.

One such institution, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, immediately guaranteed ission, simplified the application process, and promised academic assistance to affected Harvard students. The Trump istration’s demands went further than just banning international students.

China seems to be jumping at the opportunity to take over what the U.S. leaves behind and make the country look bad. China took over the US donations to WHO after saying it wouldn’t back down on tariffs until the U.S. does first.

It also asked Harvard to hand over the names and nationalities of all its international students, a list of about 6,793 individuals. The istration also threatened to withhold federal funding unless the university agreed to several conditions. This included shutting down diversity programs and stopping pro-Palestine protests.

China has made a significant commitment by pledging $500 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) over the next five years. This donation positions China as the largest state contributor to the organization, taking over from the United States after the Trump istration decided to withdraw.

The withdrawal by the Trump istration, which was a key aspect of its “America First” policy, created a major funding gap within the WHO. The U.S. departure, along with its criticisms of the WHO and international collaboration in general, has created a space in global leadership that China is keen to occupy. Now, China seems to be the leader in keeping us all safe through research and disease prevention.

The $500 million pledge was announced by Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. China frames this donation as a response to what it describes as “unilateralism” and “power politics,” frequently associated with the U.S. approach to foreign relations during the Trump era. This contribution is not merely about providing financial ; it is a calculated strategy to improve China’s global image and solidify its role in international affairs.

China has taken the US’ spot at WHO k5s4z

By stepping in to fill the gap left by the U.S., China is trying to portray itself as a responsible global leader committed to cooperation in public health. This action is consistent with China’s broader foreign policy strategy under President Xi Jinping, which is marked by a more assertive and engaged stance on global issues.

Lui told delegates, “The world is now facing the impacts of unilateralism and power politics bringing major challenges to global health security… Multilateralism is a sure to addressing difficulties.”

The donation is a clear illustration of Beijing’s efforts to enhance its international influence and reshape the world order. This is seen not only in the context of public health but also in areas like climate change and renewable energy, where China’s substantial investments in green technologies are positioning it as a leader. The fact that China produces over 60 percent of the world’s electric vehicles and 80 percent of their batteries emphasizes this ambition.

The increased financial for the WHO also affects Taiwan’s participation in the organization. At China’s request, Taiwan has been barred from the World Health Assembly for the past nine years. China’s growing influence within the WHO, bolstered by its financial contributions, complicates Taiwan’s attempts to , emphasizing the broader geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. China has even stated the U.S. is being less than truthful about who started COVID.

Some people view China’s efforts in this context as a way to assert its claim over Taiwan, undermining Taiwan’s status as an independent entity. Additionally, this increased funding from China may help it respond to previous critiques from the U.S. regarding its management of the coronavirus pandemic.

The WHO itself is currently grappling with significant financial difficulties following the U.S. withdrawal. The organization has already lowered its budget for 2026-2027 by 21 percent, bringing it down to $4.2 billion. To address the resulting shortfall, the new budget, which will be finalized at the World Health Assembly, includes a planned 20 percent increase in mandatory fees for member countries over the next two years.

While it is not yet clear whether China’s $500 million pledge covers this fee hike, the size of the donation is undeniably important in helping to alleviate the financial gap created by the U.S. departure.

In a surprising development, the United States and China have agreed to a 90-day deal to greatly lower tariffs on each other’s goods. This is a major step back from their ongoing trade war. The agreement, which was announced two days after negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, includes large cuts to tariffs set by both countries.

Under the deal, the US will drop its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% down to 30%, while China will lower its tariffs on US goods from 125% to 10%, according to the BBC. These cuts apply to the tariffs put in place under President Trump’s Liberation Day measures, which had severely hurt trade between the two countries.

The 90-day period starts on May 14, with US tariffs still including an extra 20% charge aimed at stopping the illegal fentanyl trade, per Reuters. The Geneva talks were the first high-level meeting between US and Chinese economic officials since President Trump returned to office. The deal goes further than many analysts expected, showing that both sides are willing to reduce tensions. Both countries said they were pleased with the agreement.

US and China finally easing off tariffs 6j225j

Beyond the immediate tariff cuts, the deal also sets up a system for continued talks on economic and trade relations. These discussions will be led by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and could cover issues like intellectual property rights, government subsidies, and trade imbalances. The talks may take place in either country or a neutral location, depending on what both sides agree to.

The deal had an immediate positive effect. Stock markets rose after the announcement, with big gains in European and Asian markets, and expectations of a strong opening in US markets. Shipping companies, which had been hit hard by the trade war, also saw big jumps in their stock prices. However, the price of gold, which usually rises when markets are uncertain, fell as confidence improved.

The earlier tariffs had a big economic impact. Financial markets reacted badly to the higher tariffs, causing instability and increasing fears of a possible global recession. Many businesses faced supply chain problems, leading to lower production and job cuts in some industries.

Shipping companies, especially those moving goods between the US and China, reported steep drops in container shipments. At the same time, companies that relied heavily on US-China trade suffered from the tariffs, resulting in reduced output and layoffs. Some industries, however, saw growth due to the more protective trade policies.

President Donald Trump has shown that he is open to reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from the current 145% to 80%. This would be a big drop, but it is still causing disagreement. The announcement was made as trade talks between the U.S. and China continue, with the next round set to happen in Switzerland this weekend.

Trump shared this proposal on his Truth Social (founded by NBC) and said the final decision will be up to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the U.S. team in the negotiations. The suggested 80 percent tariff comes after a time of rising trade tensions.

The timing of Trump’s announcement is important because it comes as Chinese exports to the U.S. have dropped sharply. Data from China’s General istration of Customs shows that exports to the U.S. fell by 21 percent in April. While China has been able to send more goods to other places, like Southeast Asia, the European Union, Latin America, and Africa, this shift shows how the high U.S. tariffs are disrupting global trade.

Trump may drop tariffs on China to 80 percent 3x2v1l

Last month, Trump introduced a 10 percent basic tariff on almost all foreign imports. Later, he added matching tariffs for many countries, though these are currently on hold while talks are happening. China, however, was not included in this initial deal, leading to a back-and-forth increase in tariffs that eventually reached the current 145 percent on many Chinese goods.

Even though an 80 percent tariff would be much lower than the current rate, it is still causing debate. An 80 percent tariff could hurt trade badly, possibly leading to higher prices and shortages of some products in the U.S. This is especially worrying for big American companies that depend heavily on Chinese imports, such as Apple, Walmart, Tesla, and Nike.

Their costs could go up a lot if no trade deal is reached. Trade between the U.S. and China could stop completely if tariffs went above 65 percent. Global markets reacted well to Trump’s hint that tariffs might be lowered, with the rise of stock markets in Europe. However, whether 80 percent is the final offer or just a starting point for negotiations is still unclear. This uncertainty makes people wonder how stable U.S.-China trade relations will be in the long run and how this will affect the world economy.

The talks in Switzerland are not expected to produce a full trade deal right away. Instead, the goal is to set the stage for future discussions. The U.S. Trade Representative has said they hope to stabilize the relationship. However, for these talks to succeed, both sides will need to compromise.

China recently took new steps just before the Switzerland meeting to make the situation more complicated. The country announced a crackdown on the illegal smuggling of important minerals and said it would tighten controls on exporting certain strategic resources. This follows earlier moves where China restricted exports of some materials to the U.S. as a response to tariffs.

A new phase in the ongoing argument about where COVID-19 came from has begun, with the United States and China exchanging stronger accusations than before. The White House recently updated its official COVID-19 website, stating that the virus most likely originated from an accident in a lab involving gain-of-function research.

This announcement came after the CIA released an assessment suggesting that a lab leak was more probable than a natural origin, per CNN and Fox. However, they itted their confidence in this conclusion was low. China responded quickly and strongly to these claims. As reported by NY Post, China released a detailed white paper pushing back against the U.S. position, arguing that there is significant evidence COVID-19 may have been spreading in the U.S. earlier than officially reported.

The paper accused the U.S. government of trying to deflect blame and avoid responsibility for how it managed the pandemic. It claimed that Washington’s focus on the Wuhan lab leak theory was a political tactic to distract from its own failures in handling the crisis. The Chinese government pointed to a t study with the World Health Organization (WHO) that concluded the virus most likely ed from bats to humans through an intermediate animal host.

China claims US has more to do with COVID than first thought 1f5f61

The timing of China’s response is important. The White House’s updated COVID.gov website now clearly presents evidence ing the lab leak theory. It mentions unusual features of the virus not seen in nature and notes how close the Wuhan Institute of Virology was to where the first cases appeared.

The site also discusses how former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci promoted the idea of a natural origin, how former President Joe Biden pardoned Fauci for possible offenses against the U.S., how social distancing rules and mask mandates were put in place, and how shortages of medical protective gear were handled. This information directly contradicts China’s version of events, which portrays the U.S. pandemic response as ineffective and lacking openness.

The changes to the White House website signal a shift in the U.S. government’s stance, which had previously been less certain about the virus’s origin. Along with the CIA’s reassessment, this strengthens the U.S. argument that the virus may have leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China. However, China’s official position remains firm in rejecting this theory, citing the WHO study and claiming that the U.S. is ignoring signs the virus was present in America earlier than itted.

The accusations from both sides raise important questions about transparency and ability in how countries responded to the pandemic. The U.S. focuses on evidence suggesting a lab leak, while China highlights its work with the WHO and criticizes the U.S. for its flawed pandemic response. The fact that leading scientific and intelligence agencies still don’t fully agree makes it even harder to determine the truth.

The United States has reportedly started talking with China about the high tariffs put in place during the Trump istration. This move could mean a possible change in the trade tensions between the two powerful economies.

According to Reuters, a social media linked to Chinese state media, the US has actively reached out in different ways to discuss the 145% tariffs the US set and the 125% tariffs China later imposed in response. While this shows the US might be open to negotiations, the situation is still complicated. Both sides have made public statements and taken actions that seem to contradict each other.

Top US officials, including the Treasury Secretary and a White House economic advisor, have said they hope to reduce trade tensions. They have mentioned wanting to look again at the “Phase 1” trade deal signed in 2020, especially focusing on China not meeting its promise to buy more American goods, which was a major part of the agreement.

US may be approaching China for tariffs agreement 5k1k2l

The pandemic is seen as one reason China did not fulfill these commitments, and this could play a role in new talks. Beyond just tariffs, the US also wants to discuss other issues, like non-tariff trade barriers and intellectual property theft, showing they want a broad approach to improving the economic relationship.

The US Treasury Secretary has said every part of the economic relationship could be part of the negotiations. China’s reaction has been mixed. Publicly, the Chinese government has strongly criticized the US tariffs, calling them economic bullying and a way to slow China’s economic growth. Chinese officials have repeated this position, with one spokesperson clearly saying there are no current talks or negotiations about the tariffs.

Behind this public stance, China has quietly removed some US goods, like medicines, microchips, and jet engines, from its list of retaliatory tariffs. This suggests a more careful strategy, possibly meaning China is open to talks while keeping a strong public position.

The economic risks are high. Experts have warned that if the trade conflict gets worse, the results could be very damaging. One estimate says that if Chinese exports to the US drop sharply, it could lead to millions of lost jobs in China. The US Treasury Secretary has pointed out that China depends more on exports to the US, meaning the current situation hurts China’s economy more than America’s.

This idea is reinforced by the possible effect on holiday season orders, meaning ongoing trade problems could seriously harm both economies. The situation is made more confusing by conflicting statements about whether negotiations are happening and what they involve.

While US officials say they believe a deal is possible and point to positive signs like China reducing tariffs on some US goods, China’s public denials of formal talks make it unclear exactly where these discussions stand.

Beijing has firmly denied statements from the Trump White House suggesting that trade talks are currently happening, saying no such discussions are taking place. This strong position highlights China’s clear demand that the United States must first remove all of its one-sided tariffs before any talks can begin.

The statement, made by Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong and found by CNBC, directly goes against recent comments from President Trump and his team, which hinted at possible cuts to tariffs. Trump himself mentioned that the 145% tariff on Chinese goods could be greatly reduced, while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the istration was “preparing for a deal with China,” per Fox. However, He Yadong called these claims unfounded.

“At present there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S,” He Yadong told reporters, “If the U.S. really wants to resolve the problem … it should cancel all the unilateral measures on China.”

China isn’t talking to US until tariffs are gone 364t4y

This outright rejection shows a major change in China’s trade dispute strategy. Earlier, China had shown openness to negotiations. But now, seeing what it views as unpredictable U.S. policies and unclear intentions from President Trump, China has taken a tougher stance.

It insists that all U.S. tariffs must be fully lifted before any discussions can happen. The Chinese government has also warned other countries against making agreements with the U.S. that could harm China’s interests.

The ongoing trade war is hurting both economies. Several major Wall Street banks have reduced their forecasts for China’s GDP growth due to the rising tensions and tariffs, showing how the dispute is affecting China’s economy. The U.S. is also feeling the impact since China is its biggest trading partner when looking at individual countries.

Still, China is expanding its trade ties elsewhere. Southeast Asia has now sured the European Union as China’s largest regional trading partner. This shows China’s ability to adjust its trade strategy and lessen the damage from U.S. tariffs by shifting its focus. The U.S. has decided to increase tariffs in other countries instead of strengthening ties.

President Donald Trump has hinted at a possible change in his approach to the ongoing trade war with China. He mentioned that he might significantly lower the tariffs currently set at 145% on Chinese goods but clarified that they won’t be completely removed. This comment comes after weeks of rising tensions and retaliatory actions between the two countries.

According to The Guardian, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also spoke about the trade war earlier, calling it unsustainable and suggesting that the US and China need to rebalance their trade relationship instead of completely cutting ties. His comments helped boost the stock market, which reached its highest levels of the day after the news. Asian markets also saw some gains the next day.

In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the US to stop using threats and coercion and to negotiate based on equality and mutual respect, per CNN. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the ministry said, “claiming it wants to reach an agreement with China while constantly applying maximum pressure is not the right way to engage with China — and it simply won’t work.”

Trump may finally put an end to tariffs 5o6i3

On Chinese social media, a popular hashtag, “Trump chickened out,” gained millions of views. However, we’d be pretty happy to know there is relief at the end of the tunnel since many of the world’s economies count on these two major players.

The ongoing trade war has created global economic instability. High tariffs on both sides have led to market volatility, disrupted international supply chains, and raised fears of a global recession. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has downgraded its US economic growth forecast, noting that the uncertainty from the tariffs is a significant factor. They also warned of a potential global slowdown due to increasing trade tensions.

China has retaliated with its own tariffs of 125% on US goods and has taken further measures against American companies. Trump’s strategy seems to involve waiting for Chinese President Xi Jinping to start talks, and he expressed a desire to be friendly during negotiations, stating he wouldn’t use aggressive tactics or mention the COVID-19 pandemic as a bargaining chip.

This approach contrasts with some tougher views held by people in his cabinet, and Trump’s lack of a public rejection of those views has been seen as implicit approval. Everyone is watching to see if Trump’s change in tone will bring about real progress or lead to more back-and-forth attacks.

China has been issuing stronger warnings to countries considering trade deals with the United States under the Trump istration. These warnings include threats of retaliatory actions against any agreements China believes undermine its interests. This is a big new development in the ongoing trade war.

There has been a lot of back-and-forth exchange of tariffs between the two major economies and a concerted effort by the U.S. to pressure its allies to lessen their trade relationships with China. As reported by Investing, China’s main concern revolves around the U.S. strategy of providing tariff reductions to its trading partners in return for trade concessions against China.

Reports indicate that Washington has urged many countries to limit their economic ties with Beijing, especially in manufacturing and high technology sectors. China sees this as coercive behavior that violates global norms. The U.S. has also tried to prevent China from bying its tariffs by sending exports through other countries, leading places like Vietnam to increase border checks to stop such practices.

China is warning other countries not to US in trade war 3q5h11

Of course, the U.S. has considered implementing “secondary tariffs” on imports from nations seen as closely linked to China, per NairaMetrics. In response, China has taken various approaches. The Ministry of Commerce has clearly opposed trade agreements that disadvantage Chinese interests and has promised strong countermeasures.

This response is more than just talk; China has a history of retaliating against perceived cooperation with the U.S. For example, when South Korea deployed the US-developed THAAD missile defense system in 2016, it faced significant economic consequences from China, including restrictions on tourism and limits on South Korean businesses operating in China.

More recently, China has shown its readiness to use its control over critical raw materials as a tool for geopolitical power. Last year, it imposed restrictions on gallium and germanium exports, which are vital for semiconductor and defense technologies, affecting international companies and individuals. Following new U.S. tariffs, further limits on rare earth exports (important for many high-tech industries) were also introduced.

At the same time, China has increased diplomatic efforts to build better relationships in Southeast Asia and Europe. Like President Xi Jinping’s recent tours in the region, high-profile visits highlight China’s strategy to establish alternate trade partnerships and counter U.S. influence. Whether the U.S. can effectively create a united front against China is still debated. While some countries, including Japan and South Korea, have engaged in discussions with Washington to seek tariff relief, there are lingering concerns about the reliability and effectiveness of U.S. policy.

It is not certain whether the U.S. can maintain a cohesive strategy because that inconsistent policy could damage credibility and hinder efforts to present a united front against China.

The United States has introduced new fees for ports that specifically target ships built in China or owned by Chinese companies. This move escalates the ongoing trade conflict with China and is intended to strengthen America’s own shipbuilding industry. The fees, announced by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), are meant to counter what the U.S. government sees as China’s unfair control over global shipping.

As reported by CNN and Reuters, the idea behind the fees is to encourage growth in the U.S. shipbuilding sector, which is currently much smaller than China’s far larger production. The plan includes a gradual rollout and several exceptions, which were added after early proposals faced strong pushback from the shipping industry.

Ships owned and operated by Chinese companies will face fees based on the net ton of cargo they carry, and this fee will increase with every net ton of cargo they carry and this fee will increase each year for three years. There will also be fees for ships built in China but owned by non-Chinese companies.

China ship Fees from US to surge with time ed 2n6f2f

The USTR decided not to charge fees based on the total number of Chinese-built ships in a company’s fleet or on future orders, an earlier proposal that had received a lot of criticism. The fees will be charged once per trip, with a limit of six charges per year. There are also several exemptions. Ships moving goods between U.S. ports, U.S. ports, U.S. territories, or Caribbean islands will not have to pay.

Empty ships arriving to pick up U.S. exports and U.S. and Canadian ships using Great Lakes ports are also exempt. Foreign car-carrying ships (roll-on/roll-off or ro-ro vessels) can get refunds on the fees if they order new ships built in the U.S. with the same capacity within three years.

The fees are set to begin 180 days after the announcement, leaving global shipping companies with a lot of uncertainty. This timeline, along with already high tariffs on many Chinese goods, is expected to cause more disruptions in global trade and hurt the U.S. economy. Higher shipping costs will likely lead to increased prices for American consumers buying imported goods. Reports already show that large amounts of cargo originally headed for U.S. ports are being sent to European ports instead, which could cause backups in European ports and drive prices up even more.

China has strongly opposed the new fees, saying they will harm both China and the U.S. The Chinese government argues that these measures will not help the U.S. shipbuilding industry recover but will instead raise inflation and destabilize global trade. Global trade organizations have also raised concerns about the potential harm to international commerce, as well as the lack of dedicated funding to revive U.S. shipbuilding. While the Trump istration has said it is open to negotiations, the current trade tensions show no signs of easing soon.

The USTR has laid out long-term plans to give more advantages to ships built in the U.S. Within three years, a second phase will start, focusing on ships that transport liquefied natural gas (LNG). Rules will gradually require that 1% of U.S. LNG exports be carried on ships built, operated, and ed in the U.S. within four years. This percentage will increase to 4% by 2035 and 15% by 2047.