Overall Highlights

• The US is reviving trade probes against multiple countries, including China, as part of a broader strategy to address perceived unfair trade practices.
• China’s industrial policy is increasingly seen as a challenge to the traditional free market, which may impact global trade dynamics.
• The US and China are both positioning themselves strategically in response to geopolitical tensions, particularly regarding Iran and North Korea.
• There is a growing concern in both nations about the implications of AI in military applications, highlighting a shared apprehension regarding technological advancements in warfare.

United States Perspective (United States Sources)

• The US is investigating trade practices of China, India, and the EU under Section 301, aiming to impose new tariffs.
• Trump’s administration is focusing on ‘unfair trade’ practices as a justification for these probes, signaling a return to protectionist policies.
• The revival of tariffs is seen as a response to previous setbacks in trade negotiations, indicating a more aggressive stance against major trading partners.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China views the US trade probes as an aggressive move that undermines global trade stability and fairness.
• There is a perception in China that the US is using tariffs and trade investigations as tools of economic coercion.
• China’s industrial policy is evolving to counteract US trade measures, emphasizing a shift towards a more state-driven economic model.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] Trump tariffs: US probes India, China, EU over ‘unfair trade’ practices - Deccan Herald (3/12/2026)
2. [en-US] US Launches Trade Probe Into China, EU in Trump’s Tariffs Revival - Bloomberg.com (3/12/2026)
3. [en-US] US trade probes could lead to new tariffs for EU, China - DW.com (3/12/2026)
4. [en-US] Trump launches new trade probe targeting 16 nations, including China, India, EU, after tariff setback - MSN (3/12/2026)
5. [en-US] Trump launches new trade probe targeting 16 nations, including China, India, EU, after tariff setback - Business Today (3/12/2026)
6. [en-US] Trump Targets Major Trading Partners With New Investigation - The New York Times - The New York Times (3/12/2026)
7. [en-US] Behind Iran’s War Chest, an Oil ‘Lifeline’ from China - Kharon (3/12/2026)
8. [en-US] Slew of Controversial Proposals at China’s Two Sessions Spark Online Backlash - Vision Times (3/12/2026)
9. [en-US] India, China, EU among 16 US trading partners hit by Trump’s ‘301’ tariff probes - India Today (3/12/2026)
10. [en-US] (2nd LD) US launches Section 301 trade investigation into S Korea, China, Japan, 13 other economies: USTR - MSN (3/12/2026)
11. [en-US] Iran may team up again with North Korea to defy ‘gangster-like’ US. Here’s why - South China Morning Post (3/12/2026)
12. [en-US] China’s industrial policy goes global, challenging decades of free market rule - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)
13. [en-US] Amid China cable fallout, Chile’s president ends term, calls for unity - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)
14. [en-US] US military warns civilians to avoid port facilities used by Iranian navy - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)
15. [en-US] US reportedly moving parts of THAAD anti-missile system from S.Korea to Middle East; move exposes system’s limited effectiveness in battlefield: expert - Global Times (3/11/2026)
16. [en-US] As Iran war hits trade hubs, China’s logistics firms rush for alternatives - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)
17. [en-US] Trump says U.S. forces have “practically nothing left to target” in Iran - Global Times (3/11/2026)
18. [en-US] How Iran’s strikes on US bases could offer a preview for the Asia-Pacific - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)
19. [en-US] US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)
20. [en-US] China warns US against letting AI ‘determine life and death’ on battlefield - South China Morning Post (3/11/2026)