China Pulse Digest

US-China trade/tech rivalry intensifies

US-China trade/tech rivalry intensifies

Key Questions

What tariffs has Trump imposed on China?

Trump tariffs target steel/aluminum/soy, up to 145% on $439B imports, triggering US freight panic with 60% rate drops. China retaliates on soy, weaning off US imports.

How are US soy farmers affected?

US soy decoupling as China feeds pigs fermented feed alternatives; beef exports down 12% due to China lockout.

What constraints is China imposing on rare earths?

China's rare earth leverage constrains US aerospace; REalloys face potential bans.

How is Southeast Asia responding to US-China rivalry?

SE Asia reroutes trade; ISEAS survey shows China preferred over US. US protectionism reshapes China's reach in Vietnam.

What is happening with Foxconn and autos?

Foxconn boom; autos localize amid Dems blocking; CSRC IPO crackdown on tech/biotech.

What diplomatic moves involve Trump and Xi?

Trump-Xi summit signals new trade war phase.

What supply chain impacts from tariffs?

Trump tariff whiplash causes Covid-era freight panic; pharma APIs affected; services sector pushes demand-driven growth.

What is Xi urging economically?

Xi urges demand-driven growth in services, reform, tech amid trade war labeled 'confidence killer'.

Trump tariffs (steel/alum/soy retaliation/145% on $439B imports) trigger US freight panic (60% rate drops), rare earth aerospace constraints, soy decoupling (fermented feed push); Dems autos block; SE Asia reroutes; Foxconn boom; pharma APIs; REalloys vs ban; ISEAS China preferred; Trump-Xi summit; CSRC IPO crackdown; autos localize.

Sources (68)
Updated Apr 8, 2026