On October 10, 2025, Trump's threats seemed to have fallen through as China-US trade relations renewed tension and China's countermeasures continued. Just after China announced its rare earth control against the United States, Trump was not to be outdone, publicly threatening to stop importing a large number of Chinese goods, but what he didn't expect was that, China did not show signs of peace talks, but immediately made a harsher counterattack.--China's Ministry of Transport announced on the same day, Port fees will be charged to US ships starting from October 14, this measure will be gradually increased until it reaches RMB 1120 per net ton by 2028. This move not only accurately hits the cost pain points of American shipping companies, but also reveals China's tough stance in the global trade game.
Events Recall: Central American Games Increase
A few months ago, the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) announced a port service fee for Chinese ships starting October 14 based on the findings of the 301 survey, on the grounds that “China’s maritime logistics industry has unfair competition”.
This move not only disappointed the Chinese side, but was also widely regarded as The United States attempts to revitalize its shipping industry through the "American Goods and Transportation" policy, but it has triggered widespread criticism in the industry of rising global logistics costs. The US measures have undoubtedly exacerbated trade friction between the two countries., and China immediately countered, announcing that it would charge port fees on American ships, aiming to counter the unilateral bullying of the United States through economic means.
China's precise countermeasures: Combined fights against the United States
On the same day that the increase in port fees was announced, China's Ministry of Commerce issued another major decision: Upgrade rare earth export controlsAs of 9 October, China controls foreign rare-earth products and technologies containing Chinese ingredientsThis represents a direct threat to the U.S. high-tech industry. China controls 90% of the world’s rare earth refining capacity, while rare earth is critical in high-tech fields such as electric vehicles, batteries, semiconductors. This rare earth control will not only affect the U.S. military, AI and new energy industries, but may further exacerbate U.S. supply chain risk in the global industry.
This series of countermeasures is not just a simple "tit for tat", It also shows the strategic depth of China in the economic gameThrough the combination of shipping port charges and rare-earth controls, China has actually established a situation of double pressure.On the one hand, shipping port charges will gradually weaken the competitiveness of U.S. shipping enterprises, and on the other hand, rare-earth controls are likely to block the life line of U.S. high-tech industry, forming a strong pressure on "Maritime + Technology".
The Game Behind Economics and Strategy
The purpose of China's counterattack is not only to balance the United States 'unilateral sanctions against China, but also to reshape the global supply chain pattern through this precise attack. First, China is no longer the trading power it used to rely solely on the US market。Data shows that the proportion of China's exports to the United States has dropped to 14.7% in 2024, and ASEAN has replaced the United States as China's largest trading partner. As Chinese companies gradually distribute production capacity in countries such as Vietnam and Mexico, China has gradually reduced its dependence on the U.S. market. This diversified layout has enhanced China's economic resilience and also provided a guarantee for coping with possible increased economic pressure on the United States.
Trump's threat and China's response
Trump said in an interview: The United States may stop importing large quantities of China goodsBut what he did not expect was the rapid escalation of China’s opposition.While the highest level of the United States has strongly criticized China’s countermeasures, in fact, Trump’s threat at this time has undoubtedly exacerbated unrest in the United States to some extent. The vulnerability of the global supply chain, the hardships of the U.S. shipping industry and the high-tech industry’s high dependence on rare earth have all put the U.S. in a passive position in the game with China.。
At the same time, this series of countermeasures also shows that China’s countermeasures have not only been limited to the trade level, but also covered. A more far-reaching industrial layoutChina is gradually getting rid of the impact of U.S. unilateralism by reducing its dependence on the United States, enhancing cooperation with other countries, and promoting innovation in autonomous technologies. In the competition and cooperation of China-US relations, the two sides are laying the foundation for the future game through their respective strategic layout.。
The Future: How will the United States respond?
Whether the U.S. will be able to expand its pressure on China through the U.S. Ship Act, with China’s precise countermeasures, may be one of the focus in the coming months. In the coming weeks, the United States may further attempt to expand pressure on China through legislative or administrative measuresBut there is still much uncertainty as to whether these measures will be implemented smoothly and to what extent they will alleviate the trouble of the U.S. shipping industry and the high-tech industry.
The vulnerability of the supply chain in the context of globalization. This may lead to U.S. companies facing the risk of rising costs and supply chain breaks in the long termOn the other hand, China's economic ability to resist risks has been enhancedThis is particularly evident through the adjustment of its trade structure and changes in the layout of the industrial chain. As China becomes increasingly influential in the global economy, whether Trump can continue to adopt unilateral tough measures may face more challenges.
Conclusion: The situation is still fermenting, and the future deserves attention
This trade game between China and the United States is far from over. While Trump tries to oppress China through a trade war, it could exacerbate the cost crisis and strategic passivity of the United States itself.By precisely striking the U.S. shipping and high-tech industries, China has demonstrated its insignificant counter-attack capabilities and the strategic vulnerability of U.S. unilateralism.
In the coming months, The global economic situation will continue to be affected by this set of countermeasures.Whether it is in terms of shipping costs or high-tech industry supply chains, the game between China and the United States will have a profound impact on global trade. The real test of this trade war is far from here.
Everyone is welcome to share your views on the Sino-US trade war in the comment area. Do you think China's countermeasures will change the U.S. strategy? Do you think the U.S. can take the lead in this game?
References:
- Press release of the Ministry of Commerce of, 9 October 2025
- Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)October 2025
- Xinhua Agency, October 10, 2025
- Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2025