China is escalating trade tensions with the United States, launching two new investigations into U.S. trade practices ahead of a potential visit by President Donald Trump. China’s Ministry of Commerce says the probes are a direct response to recent U.S. investigations tied to tariffs and trade restrictions. The reviews will focus on U.S. limits on Chinese goods and advanced technology exports, along with barriers facing China’s green energy products. Officials say the investigations could take up to nine months and may be used as leverage in ongoing negotiations. The move comes as the U.S. expands Section 301 investigations targeting global trade partners, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already strained relationship between the world’s two largest economies.
