The future of the Trump administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy remains fluid. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s two visits to the region, including his recent attendance and speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, shed a little light.

Given the fact that most disruptions in the bilateral relationship originate in Washington, it is essential that the Trump administration apply the consensus reached during the call to its future actions.

America’s reindustrialization process relies heavily on China’s industrial system support. In an increasingly competitive global market, China’s full-fledged industrial system emerges as the most cost-effective and competitive option.

The U.S. president is coercing its allies to coordinate the policies related to critical minerals to weaken China’s influence in the global market and create a more “safe and reliable” supply chain for the United States.

Hong Kong remains a vital and distinct gateway between China and the world, with its common law system and international character serving essential functions for China's global engagement and soft power. Despite rising geopolitical tensions and U.S. policy shifts, particularly under Trump, Hong Kong can preserve its relevance by investing in education exchanges, hosting unofficial Sino-American dialogues, and positioning itself as a hub for global governance debates.

Values laid out by China and the United States — equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit — will keep trade tensions under control through practical results and stabilize the important trade relationship.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s unwarranted global tariff war, which began on April 2, 2025, with steep 145 percent tariffs on China, alerted economists to unforeseen global consequences. As China’s economy relied heavily on manufactured goods, and with the U.S. as its largest export destination, the Trump administration believed that imposing tariffs could weaken China and compel it to comply with its terms and conditions. Beijing, well-prepared in advance, proved this belief wrong. China’s resolute response within weeks forced the U.S. to enter negotiations, which took place from May 10 to 12 in Geneva, in which the two sides agreed to suspend tariffs for 90 days. The success of Beijing’s policy relied on several factors.

The recent China-U.S. economic and trade talks have helped ease trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Tariffs have been reduced significantly, lifting the pessimistic mood. However, a sustainable trade agreement has not yet been sealed.

China’s new export licensing system strengthens its control over key rare earth elements, deepening supply chain risks. Although new processing facilities are emerging abroad, they won’t soon offset China’s dominance, prolonging global uncertainty.

To Donald Trump’s surprise, China showed no fear of tariffs. Instead, it launched a powerful tit-for-tat counteroffensive that caused the United States to back off. Trump’s pattern of bullying, his obsession with bellicose showmanship, his love of flattery and his attempts to instill fear are on display for all to see.