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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| A quick guide to the US-China trade war | A quick guide to the US-China trade war |
| (30 days later) | |
| The US and China are locked in an escalating trade battle. | The US and China are locked in an escalating trade battle. |
| US President Donald Trump has complained about China's trading practices since before he took office in 2016. | US President Donald Trump has complained about China's trading practices since before he took office in 2016. |
| The US launched an investigation into Chinese trade policies in 2017. It imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products last year, and Beijing retaliated in kind. | The US launched an investigation into Chinese trade policies in 2017. It imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products last year, and Beijing retaliated in kind. |
| After months of hostilities, a breakthrough of sorts came in December. Both countries agreed to halt new trade tariffs to allow for talks. | |
| Optimism had grown over the prospect of a deal, but President Trump has now cast doubt over that. | |
| He has vowed to hike existing tariffs on Chinese goods and to introduce fresh ones "shortly". | |
| What tariffs are in place? | What tariffs are in place? |
| So far, the US has imposed three rounds of tariffs on Chinese goods, totalling more than $250bn (£190bn). | |
| The duties range from 10% to 25% and cover a wide range of industrial and consumer items - from handbags to railway equipment. | The duties range from 10% to 25% and cover a wide range of industrial and consumer items - from handbags to railway equipment. |
| President Trump has threatened tariffs on another $267bn worth of goods - meaning all Chinese imports could be subject to tariffs. | President Trump has threatened tariffs on another $267bn worth of goods - meaning all Chinese imports could be subject to tariffs. |
| The US has also put tariffs on worldwide imports of goods like steel and washing machines, which further affects products from China. | The US has also put tariffs on worldwide imports of goods like steel and washing machines, which further affects products from China. |
| Beijing hit back with tariffs on $110bn of US goods, accusing the US of starting "the largest trade war in economic history". | Beijing hit back with tariffs on $110bn of US goods, accusing the US of starting "the largest trade war in economic history". |
| China has targeted products including chemicals, coal and medical equipment with levies that range from 5% to 25%. | China has targeted products including chemicals, coal and medical equipment with levies that range from 5% to 25%. |
| It has strategically targeted products made in Republican districts, and goods that can be purchased elsewhere, like soybeans. | It has strategically targeted products made in Republican districts, and goods that can be purchased elsewhere, like soybeans. |
| Why tariffs? | Why tariffs? |
| Tariffs, in theory, make US-made products cheaper than imported ones, and encourage consumers to buy American. | Tariffs, in theory, make US-made products cheaper than imported ones, and encourage consumers to buy American. |
| What is the impact so far? | What is the impact so far? |
| Both US and international firms have said they are being harmed. | Both US and international firms have said they are being harmed. |
| Fears about a further escalation has rattled investors and hit stock markets. | Fears about a further escalation has rattled investors and hit stock markets. |
| The IMF warned a full-blown trade war would weaken the global economy. | The IMF warned a full-blown trade war would weaken the global economy. |