WASHINGTON
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs has injected fresh uncertainty into the already fragile landscape of U.S.-China relations, forcing both economic superpowers to recalibrate just as a high-stakes summit looms.
Friday’s ruling would appear to strengthen Beijing’s position at the negotiating table. But analysts predict China will move cautiously, wary of provoking Trump, who retains other avenues to levy taxes and has shown no hesitation in using them.
Both sides are keen to preserve a fragile trade truce and stabilize ties ahead of Trump’s highly anticipated visit to Beijing.
“It will give China a moral boost in their negotiations with Trump’s team ahead of the summit, but they are prepared for the scenario that nothing actually changes in reality,” said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank.
Furious over the judicial setback, Trump announced he would impose a temporary 10% global tariff before raising it to 15%, while simultaneously pursuing alternative paths for import duties.
He framed the aggressive posture as a necessary response to China, which he said poses the greatest challenge to U.S. economic, technological, and military dominance.
By James Kisoo
