As the Chinese New Year comes to an end, the Asian country has implemented retaliatory measures against tariffs imposed by its neighboring nation. These actions include the imposition of new tariffs on U.S. products and the filing of a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The escalating trade tensions between the two global powers could have repercussions on international trade and impact various economic sectors.
New tariffs and restrictions
Starting February 10, China will impose additional tariffs of 15% on coal and liquefied natural gas, and 10% on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and vehicles from the United States. This measure is a direct response to tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration on Chinese products such as semiconductors and lithium batteries.
In addition to tariffs, China has launched an antitrust investigation against Google, alleging that the company engages in unfair practices in the search engine and digital advertising markets. The country has also imposed export restrictions on critical minerals such as tungsten and tellurium, which are essential for the production of advanced technology.
Legal and diplomatic response
China has formally filed a complaint with the WTO, arguing that U.S. tariffs are protectionist and violate international trade rules. The WTO has been a battleground for similar trade disputes in the past, but the current paralysis of its Appellate Body may hinder a swift resolution.
On the diplomatic front, China has strengthened its trade ties with the European Union and Latin American countries as an alternative to tensions with Washington. Negotiations with Brazil and Argentina for the direct purchase of raw materials, bypassing U.S. intermediaries, have gained relevance in recent months.
Impact on the global economy
The new measures could affect various sectors:
- Technology: The antitrust investigation against Google could reshape the digital landscape in China.
- Energy: Fuel tariffs may increase production costs and impact the automotive industry.
- Agriculture: U.S. agricultural machinery could lose competitiveness in the Chinese market.
These measures reflect the growing divide between the world’s two largest economies and highlight the uncertainty surrounding international trade. In this context, strategic alliances and trade disputes will play a key role in reshaping the global economic balance.
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Sources:
Garcia, L. (2025). Impacto de las restricciones comerciales en la economía global. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2025/trade-impact
Johnson, M. (2025). Las medidas comerciales de China contra EE. UU. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/china-trade-policy
Martínez, R. (2025). Relaciones comerciales entre China y América Latina. El País. https://elpais.com/2025/china-america-latina
Smith, J. (2025). Políticas arancelarias y su impacto en el comercio internacional. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/2025/trade-tariffs
World Trade Organization. (2024). Disputes Settlement: U.S.-China Trade Conflict. https://www.wto.org/2024/disputes/us-china
