A day-by-day breakdown of the US–China faceoff

The U.S.-China trade standoff just hit a new level. China’s open to talks—but only if the U.S. plays by its rules. Respect, consistency, and a clear point person are just the start.

Will Trump play ball or double down? 

Here’s your blow-by-blow update on the tariff tug-of-war: 

• US–China trade drama, day by day 👀
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• Amazon wants your tariff story 😬

TRENDING TOPIC

According to Yahoo! Finance, Trump says the U.S. is making headway with key trade partners—but China remains the main event.  

Both sides are digging in, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) is waving a red flag: if cooler heads don’t prevail, we could be looking at a global trade slowdown. 

Here’s what’s happened so far:

🗓️ April 16 update:

• Trump calls on China to make the first move
  • President Trump called on China to initiate negotiations, claiming the U.S. has the upper hand thanks to its consumer-driven economy. 🛒
  • This is the latest indication that both sides are holding their ground—with no top-level talks in sight.
• China sets conditions for trade talks
  • China says it’s open to dialogue—but only if the U.S. shows “respect” and appoints a credible negotiator.
  • Markets briefly bounced on hopes of a breakthrough, but economists remain doubtful that a resolution is near.
• WTOcuts global trade outlook
  • The WTO now expects a 0.2% drop in global merchandise trade this year.
  • Without recent exemptions, U.S.–China trade could have plummeted over 90%—a stark reminder of how tense things have become.

🗓️ April 17 update:

• Fed said Trump’s tariffs could reignite inflation
  • Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs are “highly likely” to drive up prices and slow economic growth. 📈
  • For sellers, that could mean higher sourcing costs, more price-sensitive consumers, and slower spending across categories
• California sues to block tariffs
  • The state is taking legal action, accusing Trump of abusing trade powers and harming its economy, especially agriculture and port operations.
  • The lawsuit could reshape how tariffs are enforced and open the door for more state-level pushback in the future.
• Big brands split on tariff strategy
  • Hyundai announced it will cover additional tariff costs rather than pass them to U.S. customers, thanks to its domestic production footprint.
  • Luxury brand Hermès will fully offset tariffs by raising prices in the U.S., even as global sales soften.
• President Xi rallies Southeast Asia against U.S. trade pressure
  • China’s President Xi Jinping called for regional supply chain collaboration, urging “Asian family” unity.
  • If China’s influence expands, sellers sourcing from Asia may see new non-U.S. trade perks or partnerships.
• Hongkong Post halts U.S. deliveries
  • In response to tariff hikes, Hongkong Post suspended shipments to the U.S.—a move that could spike logistics costs and delay small-parcel orders from Asia.

🗓️ April 18 update:

• Tariffs won’t cause a global recession
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Kristalina Georgieva warns that higher tariffs will slow global growth and drive up prices, though a full-scale recession is unlikely.
  • Importers and consumers will bear the brunt of the cost, particularly in complex supply chains.
• EU considers export curbs on U.S. goods
  • The EU is exploring potential restrictions on exports to the U.S. if trade talks break down. ⚖️
  • Options include limiting public contracts and introducing new tariffs, putting additional pressure on both sides.
• Trump optimistic about a "very good" China trade deal
  • President Trump says trade negotiations with China are progressing well and suggesting that China is keen to engage. 👀
  • Other Asian nations are also pursuing bilateral talks to sidestep tariffs.
• Trump may not raise China tariffs further
  • Trump has expressed concerns about the impact on U.S. consumption, saying, “I may want to go to less.”
  • However, tech restrictions and retaliatory actions—such as China’s curb on Boeing—continue to escalate tensions. 🔥

The road to resolution remains a bumpy ride. With mixed signals and growing global resistance, one thing is clear: the impact of tariffs is far from over, and sellers should brace for more turbulence ahead.

Stay vigilant—what happens next could redefine the future of global trade. 🛒

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BITES OF THE WEEK

• Cutting Off SEA: The erratic trading policies may push Southeast Asia away from unreliable trade deals of the U.S.
• Au Revoir Appliances: The tariffs will greatly affect the availability of some gadgets and electronic appliances.
• Amazon Earnings Update: Amazon will hold a conference and share it's Q1 earnings report on May 1.
• Smart Lighting for All: Linkind's Matter smart light bulbs will launch in Walmart stores and on Walmart.com, in partnership with social media influencer Jimmy Darts.

AMAZON NEWS

Amazon wants to hear your tariff-trauma story

CNBC reported that Amazon is reaching out to third-party sellers to understand how President Trump’s tariffs are affecting their businesses. 

In emails sent to some sellers, Amazon is asking for insights on how the tariffs are influencing their sourcing strategies, pricing, logistics, and inbound shipments to Amazon warehouses.

🌀 What’s going on

• Trump’s tariff shift: After issuing a broad executive order, President Trump reversed course and implemented a universal 10% tariff for most trade partners—except China, which faces an eye-watering 145% rate.
• Market turmoil: This move has caused market instability, leaving businesses scrambling to adapt to the shifting landscape.

💬 Amazon says

• CEO Andy Jassy's take: Rising costs from tariffs may push sellers to raise prices, potentially impacting consumer demand.
• Active outreach: Amazon is clearly paying attention to the concerns of its third-party sellers and gathering data to understand their challenges. This outreach could signal a potential for relief programs or changes based on seller feedback.

📣 Amazon is listening

In times of uncertainty, your insights could make a real difference in how trade policies affect your business. Don’t let this opportunity slip by—your feedback could influence future support programs and policies.