US–China trade war
2018~2019
Expanding tariffs and countermeasures increased policy uncertainty in trade and procurement.
A phase from the tariff proposal announcement through 2019. The ending year defines scope, not the actual end date.
Conditions at the time
The United States announced investigation findings concerning Chinese policies on technology transfer and intellectual property.
How events unfolded
After pursuing tariffs in month 3, the list was finalized in month 6 and initial implementation was scheduled for month 7.
Stakeholders and impacts
The US Trade Representative, China’s government, importers and exporters responded to policy changes.
Information available at the time
The US announcement was a party’s material explaining its own investigation findings and policy objectives.
Findings confirmed later
Despite a tariff pause in late 2018, trade uncertainty remained a source of market growth concerns.
Alternative interpretations and limitations
The US assessment of trade practices is a party’s claim, distinct from a neutral definitive finding.
Source-based context and interpretation
US tariffs were presented as a response to unfair trade practices. The countries subsequently signed a Phase 1 agreement in 2020 covering intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, financial services and trade expansion. Commitments in that agreement were not verified purchases or completed regulatory changes. ASSETCASTING interpretation: Tariffs, negotiated commitments and actual company transactions are separate stages. Optimism about an agreement need not eliminate existing tariff or supply-chain costs. Signing is not proof of fully resolved disputes or fulfilled purchase targets.
Evidence coverage through 2020-01-15 · Sources checked 2026-10-14
Related events and periods1
- Financial-crisis response and unconventional monetary policy
An event or period whose recorded start falls within this editorial interval. This does not establish that it caused or represents the characteristics of the era, nor guarantee that the entire period falls within the interval.
Historical events do not guarantee future recurrence or investment performance.