Tariffs

The drums of trade war

Last month, US President Donald Trump’s administration fired the opening salvo in what is quickly shaping up to become a full-blown trade war. While trade friction has long been an issue in the Sino-American relationship, few expected such an escalation, not least because economists widely view trade wars as damaging to all parties. So how did we get to this point, and can we turn back before it’s too late?First and foremost, Trump does not seem to understand how trade works.

25 April 2018
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China has the cards to call Trump's high-stakes raise: Gadfly

When a card player doubles down on a high-stakes bet, is that a sign of strength, or an over-played hand?That's what investors have to ask after President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on a further $100 billion of Chinese imports.In one sense, such a move – if enacted – could turn the tide of this conflict in Washington's favor.Reciprocating tariffs from Beijing, when added to the $53 billion in trade that's already under threat, would max out China's ability t

7 April 2018
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Effects of “America First” on the solar industry

Donald Trump’s inherently protectionist “America First” policy is a far cry from what many have grown to perceive the United States in the international arena – as a bastion of free trade. But with Trump at the helm, the superpower has rescinded its global leadership in trade and has dented its reputation further by way of imposing tariffs. The recent tariffs which affected industries in Asia – specifically Southeast Asia – was the imposition of tariffs on solar panels and modules.

21 February 2018
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