Escalating US-China tensions over trade, technology, and supply chain security as key drivers of global economic fragmentation
INTRODUCTION The US-China trade disputes, escalating significantly since 2018, represent a pivotal shift in global economic dynamics. Initiated under the Trump administration and continuing with modifications under subsequent administrations, these disputes have centered on tariffs, trade imbalances, intellectual property concerns, and geopolitical strategies. This analysis explores the evolution of the trade conflict, its multifaceted impacts on global markets, and the role of bilateral trade agreements in both escalating and mitigating tensions. Evolution of US-China Trade Disputes The US-China trade relationship has long been marked by tensions over trade imbalances, with the US maintaining a significant trade deficit with China. By 2017, the US trade deficit with China reached approximately $375 billion, fueling concerns about unfair trade practices, including intellectual property theft and market access restrictions. In 2018, the Trump administration initiated the trade war...