On August 3o, 2018 a new report was made stating that President Donald Trump would like to put tariffs on another $200 billion worth of imports from China. This would be a huge increase from the original 25% tariffs of $50-60 billion on Chinese imports placed on July 6th, 2018.

There have been many disputes as to who started this “trade war,” but the involved parties blame each other. The Chinese believe that the Trump administration is the reason for the war, while the U.S states that the Chinese started the war years ago.

The trade war between the U.S and China has caused unexpected repercussions on arrangements with other nations.  Most recently President Trump has blamed China for the stagnation in the denuclearization of North Korea. In a statement from the White House made on August 29th, 2018, Trump stated that he “feels strongly that North Korea is under tremendous pressure from China because of our major trade disputes.”

This event has caused a political uproar. Wei Jianguo, the former Chinese vice-minister of commerce, believes that China will win the trade war, stating that, “The U.S. can’t match China’s power.” George Yeo, a former trade minister from Singapore stated that a “potential economic crisis” may arise as a result of the U.S and Chinese Trade war.

Many are questioning the international effects of increasing disputes between the United States and China. With political analysts searching for a global power to rival the United States, it seems that China may be stepping into that role with the clash between the Eastern and Western superpowers. Whether or not China will take the U.S.S.R.’s spot as the United States’ rival is unknown, but if tensions between the countries continue to increase it may be a real possibility.