China launched two investigations into US trade practices on Friday, signalling its resolve to push back against President Donald Trump's tariffs ahead of his visit in May. The commerce ministry said the new probes are a response to two investigations announced by Trump earlier this month against multiple countries, including China. The Chinese investigations are the latest volley in a long-running trade war and could be bargaining chips to counter any possible new US tariffs. The US Supreme Court struck down some of Trump's earlier tariffs, and he responded by launching what are known as Section 301 trade investigations. The other investigation, into dozens of countries, including China, could ban the import of goods made by forced labour.

Source: The Telegraph March 27, 2026 12:32 UTC