The start of 2025 has been good for China and its reputation as a high-tech innovator. The unveiling of the Chinese-made artificial intelligence (AI) tool, DeepSeek, caused consternation on the US stock exchange and from potential competitors in Silicon Valley.

As the war in Ukraine grinds toward its fourth year, US President Donald Trump has made clear which world leader he thinks can help America end the conflict: Vladimir Putin’s ally Xi Jinping.

President Trump had previously imposed an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, resulting in retaliatory tariffs from China.

As Donald Trump unleashes round two of his trade wars, an analysis of the way global commerce has rewired since his first presidency shows how Vietnam, Mexico and Canada are exposed this time around as a new era of American protectionism unfolds.