Helen Davidson

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Helen Davidson

Xi Jinping has announced a plan to counter China’s continuing economic problems and the impact of the US trade war, as reports swirl that it could drop tariffs on some US products, including semiconductors. Friday’s meeting of the politburo was convened to discuss China’s economic situation, which since the pandemic has faced difficulties fuelled by a housing sector crisis, youth unemployment, and Donald Trump’s tariffs on all Chinese exports.

3 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Helen Davidson

Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, will not be attending the funeral of Pope Francis, despite his foreign ministry saying earlier it was their “most important aim” in negotiations with the Vatican that he be there in person. The ministry announced on Wednesday that Taiwan would be sending its former vice president, Chen Chien-jen, as special envoy.

3 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Helen Davidson

Donald Trump said during a White House news conference that high tariffs on goods from China will “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero”. Trump’s remarks were in response to earlier comments on Tuesday by treasury secretary Scott Bessent, who said that the high tariffs were unsustainable and that he expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Trump placed import taxes of 145% on China, which has countered with 125% tariffs on US goods.

3 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Helen Davidson

China has strongly criticised other countries making trade deals with the United States at Beijing’s expense, promising countermeasures against those who “appease” Washington in the blistering tariff war. While the rest of the world has been slapped with a blanket 10% tariff, China faces levies of up to 145% on many products. Beijing has responded with duties of 125% on US goods.

3 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Helen Davidson

A Boeing jet intended for a Chinese airline landed back at the planemaker’s US production hub on Sunday, a victim of the tit-for-tat bilateral tariffs launched by Donald Trump. The 737 MAX, which was meant for China’s Xiamen Airlines, landed at Seattle’s Boeing Field at 6.11pm, according to a Reuters witness. It was painted with Xiamen livery.