Geopolitical Economy Report Trump is losing the trade war with China - which he started
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Oct 31, 2025 Donald Trump finds himself losing the trade war he initiated with China. Political economist Ben Norton reveals how tariffs have harmed American farmers while boosting China's position as a manufacturing powerhouse. The recent meeting with Xi Jinping highlights U.S. dependency on Chinese tech. As inflation rises and manufacturing jobs decline, China capitalizes on its rare earth dominance and accelerates its semiconductor development. Norton argues that the trade landscape reflects structural imbalances that favor China's economic strategies.
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China Defended Successfully Against U.S. Pressure
- Ben Norton argues Trump lost the trade war and China successfully defended itself against U.S. pressure.
- China has emerged as a peer economic rival able to impose material harm on the U.S.
China's Tactical Responses Shift Leverage
- Norton details key Chinese responses: reciprocal tariffs, rare earth export controls, and tightened measures after U.S. export limits.
- These moves forced the U.S. to back down repeatedly, showing Chinese leverage.
U.S. Depends On Chinese High-Value Imports
- Norton shows U.S. reliance on Chinese high-value tech while China can source commodities elsewhere.
- The U.S. imports critical manufactured goods it cannot easily replace, shifting dependency toward China.