China is re-entering the trade war with the United States with a stronger hand. The Chinese government, led by Xi Jinping, believes that dramatic escalation is the best way to win. This approach prioritizes strength over reliability and aims to keep superpowers safe.
The two countries have been exchanging threats and counter-threats again after some weeks of fragile calm. Both sides are giving trade partners reasons to fear dependence on them. Neither China nor the US seems to care about the consequences of their actions.
This aggressive strategy is a departure from previous approaches, which focused more on finding common ground. The use of shock-and-awe tactics may have its benefits, but it also carries significant risks.
Source: https://www.economist.com/international/2025/10/12/china-tries-shock-and-awe-on-donald-trump