Tariff Fights Multiply as China Leans Into Trade and Energy Diplomacy
Australia and India are pushing back on new Trump tariffs while China deepens its trade and green-energy inroads amid Middle East disruption to oil markets.
Tariff Disputes Widen
Australia's PM Albanese said the country will challenge Trump's new 12.5% tariff and plans to raise concerns directly with Trump, while India said 45% of its exports to the US were spared new Trump tariffs following trade talks.
China's Trade and Energy Playbook
Analysts say China is exploiting divisions among EU member states to reduce its vulnerability to trade coercion, while Beijing is pouring funding into green energy deals via its Belt and Road Initiative as the Iran war disrupts oil demand — even as questions remain over whether China's own oil appetite will be enough to support prices. Elsewhere, Africa's economy is facing a $10-20 billion hit from a "super" El Niño, according to the African Development Bank's climate chief.
Sources
- Australia to challenge Trump’s new 12.5% tariff, says PM Albanese (investing_com)
- Australia to raise concerns over new tariffs with Trump, PM Albanese says (investing_com)
- India says 45% of exports to U.S. spared new Trump tariffs after trade talks (investing_com)
- How China exploits EU divisions over trade (ft)
- China pours funding into green energy deals as Iran war hits oil demand (ft)
- Will China’s oil appetite be enough to support prices? (investing_com)
- Africa facing $10-$20 billion economic hit from ’super’ El Niño, AfDB climate chief warns (investing_com)
Not investment advice.