The Atlantic

The U.S.-China Trade War: How Does This End?

It’s not a new Cold War. But the dispute between the world’s two largest economies could still reorder the world.
Source: Thomas Peter / Reuters

“New U.S.-China tariffs raise fears of an economic Cold War,” proclaimed a Washington Post headline. The Times alleged that the U.S. and China were already “on the cusp” of such a “new Cold War.” Driving this hysteria was the Trump administration’s Monday announcement unveiling tariffs on an additional $200 billion of Chinese imports, followed nearly immediately by a Chinese promise to retaliate. This back and forth has been ongoing since January, and a resolution does not seem anywhere close, if it’s even possible.

As the U.S.-China expands across multiple domains, there are even worries that could, over the long term, make the prospect of a between the two

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