China has set an ambitious growth target of "around 5%" — a goal seen harder to achieve given the prospects of an escalating trade war and weak domestic consumption

China's export growth beat expectations in March after factories rushed out shipments before the latest U.S. tariffs took effect, as an escalating Sino-U.S. trade war threatens to sharply restrain growth in the world's second-largest economy.

Beijing has suspended exports of certain rare earth minerals and magnets that are crucial for the world’s car, semiconductor and aerospace industries.

A unified North American trading powerhouse has long been seen as a potential bulwark against China. But Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over Canada and has targeted Mexico with some of his toughest tariffs. New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that his country’s traditional relationship with Washington is over.

After the US president hit China with tariffs of over 100%, Beijing retaliates with higher taxes on American imports.

China accused the US of "unilateral bullying and coercion" as it announced fresh tariffs on Friday morning.

The fast-worsening trade war between the United States and China — the planet’s premier geopolitical powers, whose economies are intricately entwined — threatens to wreak severe damage on both nations and will send shockwaves worldwide.

Key Chinese trade hubs are beginning to show early signs of disruption as the US-China tariff war intensifies, according to news reports. Major export provinces and shipping ports, including Shanghai and Guangdong,