Issues That Will Shape Discussion As China-US Resume Trade Talks

Babajide Okeowo
Writer
Presidents Trump and Jinping

Ad

Regina Daniels hints at domestic violence in viral video; brother lashes out at Ned Nwoko

By Obinna Uballa A visibly distressed Regina Daniels has sparked alarm after a video of her in apparent distress circulated widely on social media on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in which she appeared to hint at physical abuse. The clip, shared across X and other platforms, shows Regina surrounded by several people amid a tense…

About 20 military officers, including brigadier general, detained over ‘plan to overthrow Tinubu’

By Obinna Uballa The Nigerian military has launched a high-level investigation into an alleged coup plot involving about 20 officers accused of planning to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. According to multiple security sources, the officers, among them a brigadier general and a colonel, were arrested in late September following intelligence that they were holding secret…

DHQ Denies Coup Plot, Says Independence Parade Cancellation Not Linked To Alleged Mutiny Probe

By Obinna Uballa The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting that activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary were cancelled due to an alleged coup plot. In a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, and titled “DHQ Never Mentioned Any Coup Attempt,” the military authorities…

Ad

The looming ban on Chinese social media apps like TikTok and WeChat, the security law for Hong Kong, the ban of the technology giant, Huawei, from 5G wireless network projects are some of the issues expected to take center stage as China and the United States resume trade talks.

The two economic superpowers have been embroiled in a trade war since 2018 that has had a negative impact on the world economy.

US President Donald Trump has long accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft while China has countered that America is trying to curb its rise as a global economic power.TikTok WeChat

Read also: Exclusive! As N9.6trn Diaspora Remittance Overtakes Oil Revenue, FG Explores Options

The dispute led the US and China to impose tariffs, extra taxes on imports, on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods.

This tit-for-tat trade war began in 2018 and involved tariffs of more than $450bn (£344bn) worth of imports. It has rumbled on ever since.

A breakthrough happened at the start of this year when both countries agreed to relax some restrictions on each other, referred to as “phase one” of the negotiations.

In January both countries agreed to ease restrictions imposed on imported goods from each other.

However, relations have become increasingly strained in the last six months over a wide range of issues.

US President Donald Trump has clashed with China recently over two Chinese apps, TikTok and WeChat, which could be banned in the US over national security concerns amongst a myriad of other issues.

Now, there appears to be hope on the horizon as the US and China are due to resume trade talks in the coming days.

However, Rajiv Biswas, a chief economist at London-based consultancy, IHS Markit does not see the trade talk yielding much result.

Read also: WTO DG: Crowded Race As Mexico Nominates Top Envoy, Jesus Kuri To Battle Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala, Others

“Given the wide range of differences between the US and China, it may be difficult to achieve further significant progress in the upcoming round of trade talks,” Biswas said.

 

Ad

X whatsapp