What was supposed to be a historic, era-defining trade war launched by US President Donald Trump against range of countries has, for now, narrowed in on a singular target: China.

China's move to impose 84% retaliatory tariffs against the United States is unfortunate and a losing proposition for Beijing, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday.

Zelensky said the Ukrainian military captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army and that he believed “significantly more” were with Russian forces.

This is a hybrid war and while China has not disputed the facts, the boundaries of truth are cloaked in deniability. The incident – astutely publicised by Ukraine just as America is in a trade showdown with China – has illuminated the shadows of a very modern conflict.

A Beijing official pushed back on Ukraine’s claim that there were significant numbers of Chinese troops fighting alongside Russian forces. An official said the idea that many Chinese nationals

China has called US Vice-President JD Vance "ignorant and impolite" after he said America had been borrowing money from "Chinese peasants". Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters on Tuesday that Vance's comments - which had already caused a stir on Chinese social media - were "surprising and sad".

Beijing has denounced Vice President JD Vance’s rhetoric as “ignorant” after he said the United States was borrowing money from “Chinese peasants” in a television interview last week. “China’s position on Sino-U.