US China Trade War Timeline
The US China trade conflict began in 2018 under Trump's first administration with tariffs on Chinese goods, escalated through 2019 and 2020, paused temporarily during 2021-2022, and reignited in 2025-2026 under Trump's second term with broader tariff measures targeting semiconductors and critical minerals.
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US China Trade War Timeline
Recent Escalation 2025 2026
The current phase centers on tariff policy as the dominant signal with 54 tracked signals in the Tariffs and Trade category. Recent developments include efforts to build multilateral support, with G20 members being urged to back US tariff positioning against China. Tariff evasion through data divergences and transshipment remains a persistent enforcement challenge.
Broader Trade Dynamics
The conflict extends beyond bilateral US China relations. Canada ranks third in signal volume at 20 tracked events, reflecting broader North American trade disruption. The focus on tariffs as a policy tool has intensified economic competition across supply chains in technology, energy, and manufacturing sectors.