The silent clash between the US and China: the cold war of the 21st century?
The global market is in full agitation due to the so -called “silent commercial war” between the two main world powers: United States and China. This dispute, starring Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, has evolved direct attacks on a much more subtle but strategic confrontation.
From the beginning, the main objective of the United States has been to limit the commercial advantages of China. Although in recent months there have been approaches and conversations between both leaders, including a tariff truce, the tension remains latent. Trump has indicated to maintain a good relationship with XI and has expressed his desire to achieve positive negotiations.
However, the commercial war is moving towards an indirect approach that involves third countries around the Asian. The United States has expanded its tariff pressure, threatening taxes of up to 40% to countries such as Japan, South Korea, Cambodia or Laos if they do not align their commercial policies with Washington. The reason is that China has been avoiding US tariffs through transfording practices, exporting products through countries such as Vietnam or Thailand to make fun of restrictions.
To counteract this, the United States has signed agreements with countries such as Vietnam and has sent tariff letters to other strategic countries such as Indonesia, Philippines and South Korea, seeking to consolidate a block that limits Chinese influence.
This scenario has been described by experts such as a “commercial cold war”, where the battle is not frontal, but is fought through alliances, economic pressures and indirect strategies that affect multiple countries in the region.
