What Is Fueling the U.S.-China Trade War?

With U.S.-China tariff levels reaching historic highs and a fragile truce now in place, economic experts examine how the trade relationship has shifted in 2025—and where it might be headed next. What are the strategic goals behind the sweeping tariff measures imposed by both sides? How are they reshaping trade flows, business decisions, and bilateral diplomacy? What lessons can we draw from the past seven years of trade tensions, and how do current developments fit into broader patterns of economic decoupling and strategic competition?  

In an interview conducted on May 13, 2025, Claire Reade and Andrew Greenland join PIP fellow Spencer Cohen to explore the implications of recent tariff developments for U.S.-China trade, domestic political pressures, and the global economic order. 

About the speakers