Tag: international trade law

The intricate tapestry of U.S.-China Trade relations has been marked by a series of economic engagements, strategic partnerships, and, more recently, escalating tensions. The recent announcement of high-level trade talks between U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer, and China's economic chief He Lifeng in Geneva signifies a potential thaw in the frosty relations that have characterized the two nations' interactions in recent years. This meeting aims to address the extensive tariffs that have disrupted global markets and supply chains, with the U.S. imposing up to 145% tariffs on Chinese imports and China retaliating with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods.

On May 4, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a proposal to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films. This declaration, made via his social media platform, has sent shockwaves through the global film industry, raising concerns about its legality, economic impact, and cultural ramifications. “This is a direct attack on the global nature of the film industry and could have far-reaching consequences,” said Dr. Emily Carter, Professor of International Trade Law at Columbia University. The proposed tariff aims to penalize U.S. studios that outsource film production to countries offering tax incentives, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Trump justified the move by citing national security concerns and the need to revitalize domestic film production. However, critics argue that such a tariff could violate international trade agreements and disrupt the collaborative nature of modern filmmaking.

Introduction In April 2025, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC Output Expansion) announced a significant increase in oil production, adding...

On May 5, 2025, former President Donald Trump, now the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, declared in an interview that he seeks a "fair" trade deal with China. The statement followed his recent proposal of sweeping tariffs, including a 10% levy on imports from most countries and an unprecedented 145% tariff specifically targeting Chinese goods. Though Trump emphasized that direct negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping were not imminent, he claimed that diplomatic backchannels between U.S. and Chinese officials remained active.

In a move that signals a significant shift in American trade diplomacy, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer confirmed on April 30, 2025, that a series of limited trade agreements could be finalized within weeks—deals spanning nations like the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and others. Yet conspicuously missing from these negotiations is China, the United States’ largest bilateral trading partner for most of the last two decades. Greer acknowledged that no formal trade discussions are currently underway with Beijing.

In a geopolitical climate already brimming with economic nationalism, technological rivalry, and diverging worldviews, the United States' recent diplomatic overture to China concerning the renegotiation of tariffs marks a pivotal moment in the global economic order. On May 1, 2025, Chinese state media-affiliated account Yuyuan Tantian reported that the U.S. government had initiated discussions with Beijing regarding the severe tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, some of which remain as high as 145%. The outreach, though informal and lacking official confirmation, carries profound implications for the future of U.S.–China relations and the world economy.