[2]On December 25, China issued its strongest official pushback yet. Reuters reported that the delay is meant to preserve a China trade truce while the U.S. confronts Chinese export curbs on rare earth metals used across the tech economy. [15]The Trump–Xi truce backdrop: stabilizing trade while fighting over techThe tariff decision isn’t happening in isolation. Washington has declared China’s semiconductor push “actionable” under Section 301 and built a mechanism for higher tariffs, but postponed the cost impact until 2027—effectively turning tariffs into a delayed bargaining chip. [31]References1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. english.news.cn, 4. ustr.gov, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. ustr.gov, 7. ustr.gov, 8. ustr.gov, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. ustr.gov, 12. www.whitehouse.gov, 13. english.news.cn, 14. english.news.cn, 15. www.reuters.com, 16. www.thestar.com.my, 17. www.reuters.com, 18. www.reuters.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.reuters.com, 21. www.reuters.com, 22. ustr.gov, 23. www.ft.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. ustr.gov, 26. ustr.gov, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.reuters.com, 29. www.reuters.com, 30. english.news.cn, 31. ustr.gov

Source: thestar December 25, 2025 22:24 UTC