China’s role in global trade has shifted significantly. In recent years, on a regional basis, Southeast Asia has surpassed it to become the largest trading partner. This shift has implications for China’s economic strategies and its international relationships,

Tit-for-tat tariffs that began with U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of hefty import levies on April 2 had threatened to stall trade between the world's two biggest economies and sparked fears of a slowdown in global growth.