The Trade War Lab
@tradewarlab.bsky.social
Global Trade, Local Consequences. | Analyzing trade politics through research, analysis, engagement, and innovation.
Supported by the University of Kansas.
Supported by the University of Kansas.
Both countries prioritize semiconductors, information tech, aviation, and nuclear energy.
Japan's bills never mention China directly and focus on resource scarcity.
US bills name China as a threat, and securitize things like TikTok with tenuous national security links.
Japan's bills never mention China directly and focus on resource scarcity.
US bills name China as a threat, and securitize things like TikTok with tenuous national security links.
October 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Both countries prioritize semiconductors, information tech, aviation, and nuclear energy.
Japan's bills never mention China directly and focus on resource scarcity.
US bills name China as a threat, and securitize things like TikTok with tenuous national security links.
Japan's bills never mention China directly and focus on resource scarcity.
US bills name China as a threat, and securitize things like TikTok with tenuous national security links.
Japan took a different path: fewer bills, tighter focus.
The 2022 ESPA law created a framework to securitize 11 materials based on criteria like supply chain vulnerability and everyday necessity. Budget: <$10B.
Compare that to the US CHIPS Act alone: >$50B.
The 2022 ESPA law created a framework to securitize 11 materials based on criteria like supply chain vulnerability and everyday necessity. Budget: <$10B.
Compare that to the US CHIPS Act alone: >$50B.
October 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Japan took a different path: fewer bills, tighter focus.
The 2022 ESPA law created a framework to securitize 11 materials based on criteria like supply chain vulnerability and everyday necessity. Budget: <$10B.
Compare that to the US CHIPS Act alone: >$50B.
The 2022 ESPA law created a framework to securitize 11 materials based on criteria like supply chain vulnerability and everyday necessity. Budget: <$10B.
Compare that to the US CHIPS Act alone: >$50B.
From 2018-2024, US lawmakers introduced 166 "tough on China" bills (mostly Republican-authored).
Only 9 became law.
But in 2023 alone, proposals increased tenfold, signaling sharp acceleration in legislative appetite for restrictions.
Only 9 became law.
But in 2023 alone, proposals increased tenfold, signaling sharp acceleration in legislative appetite for restrictions.
October 8, 2025 at 2:35 PM
From 2018-2024, US lawmakers introduced 166 "tough on China" bills (mostly Republican-authored).
Only 9 became law.
But in 2023 alone, proposals increased tenfold, signaling sharp acceleration in legislative appetite for restrictions.
Only 9 became law.
But in 2023 alone, proposals increased tenfold, signaling sharp acceleration in legislative appetite for restrictions.
Our data also show lobbying becoming more China-focused over time, interest in China surged as firms sought tariff exclusions.
After dipping in 2020 due to the Phase One Trade Deal & COVID, it surged again under Biden as firms sought to shape semiconductor subsidies and regional trade frameworks.
After dipping in 2020 due to the Phase One Trade Deal & COVID, it surged again under Biden as firms sought to shape semiconductor subsidies and regional trade frameworks.
September 11, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Our data also show lobbying becoming more China-focused over time, interest in China surged as firms sought tariff exclusions.
After dipping in 2020 due to the Phase One Trade Deal & COVID, it surged again under Biden as firms sought to shape semiconductor subsidies and regional trade frameworks.
After dipping in 2020 due to the Phase One Trade Deal & COVID, it surged again under Biden as firms sought to shape semiconductor subsidies and regional trade frameworks.
The numbers are striking: in 2016, only 482 firms lobbied USTR on trade issues.
By 2018—after Trump’s Section 232 and 301 tariffs on $370B of Chinese goods—that figure jumped to 698 firms.
Lobbying expenditures rose 37.5% from 2016–2019, peaking at at $1.1B.
By 2018—after Trump’s Section 232 and 301 tariffs on $370B of Chinese goods—that figure jumped to 698 firms.
Lobbying expenditures rose 37.5% from 2016–2019, peaking at at $1.1B.
September 11, 2025 at 4:06 AM
The numbers are striking: in 2016, only 482 firms lobbied USTR on trade issues.
By 2018—after Trump’s Section 232 and 301 tariffs on $370B of Chinese goods—that figure jumped to 698 firms.
Lobbying expenditures rose 37.5% from 2016–2019, peaking at at $1.1B.
By 2018—after Trump’s Section 232 and 301 tariffs on $370B of Chinese goods—that figure jumped to 698 firms.
Lobbying expenditures rose 37.5% from 2016–2019, peaking at at $1.1B.
Case studies illustrate the divide:
- Deere & Abbott (large firms) avoided public fights.
- Twin City (smaller manufacturer, high tariffs) spoke out more.
- Sorrento (small, low tariffs) stayed silent.
None exited the China market entirely.
- Deere & Abbott (large firms) avoided public fights.
- Twin City (smaller manufacturer, high tariffs) spoke out more.
- Sorrento (small, low tariffs) stayed silent.
None exited the China market entirely.
August 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Case studies illustrate the divide:
- Deere & Abbott (large firms) avoided public fights.
- Twin City (smaller manufacturer, high tariffs) spoke out more.
- Sorrento (small, low tariffs) stayed silent.
None exited the China market entirely.
- Deere & Abbott (large firms) avoided public fights.
- Twin City (smaller manufacturer, high tariffs) spoke out more.
- Sorrento (small, low tariffs) stayed silent.
None exited the China market entirely.
Trade War Lab director Jack Zhang spoke with the @washingtonpost.com as China rethinks its reliance on a key U.S. export: soybeans.
Read below:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Read below:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
April 25, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Trade War Lab director Jack Zhang spoke with the @washingtonpost.com as China rethinks its reliance on a key U.S. export: soybeans.
Read below:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
Read below:
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/0...
"This rate of escalation and the impact it's going to have on U.S. consumers and businesses is going to be profound,"
The Trade War Lab spoke with KSHB41 about our research and how the trade war is already affecting America's heartland communities:
The Trade War Lab spoke with KSHB41 about our research and how the trade war is already affecting America's heartland communities:
April 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
"This rate of escalation and the impact it's going to have on U.S. consumers and businesses is going to be profound,"
The Trade War Lab spoke with KSHB41 about our research and how the trade war is already affecting America's heartland communities:
The Trade War Lab spoke with KSHB41 about our research and how the trade war is already affecting America's heartland communities:
Today China has put a 34% retaliatory tariff the US. These new tariffs will hurt the $25B trade in agricultural products, $25B in oil & gas, the $30B in machines, $30B in chemicals & plastics, $12B in cars & planes, $12B in instruments, among others. They hurt 🇨🇳 consumers & 🇺🇸 exporters #LoseLose
April 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Today China has put a 34% retaliatory tariff the US. These new tariffs will hurt the $25B trade in agricultural products, $25B in oil & gas, the $30B in machines, $30B in chemicals & plastics, $12B in cars & planes, $12B in instruments, among others. They hurt 🇨🇳 consumers & 🇺🇸 exporters #LoseLose
Please join us for the KU Trade War Lab Speaker Series on Wednesday 4/9 at 1pm CDT for a virtual talk on "Outward Foreign Direct Investment: A Chinese Foreign Policy Tool" by Dr. Roselyn Hsueh (Temple) & Dr. James Frick (US AWC)
RSVP by 4/8 for zoom link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
RSVP by 4/8 for zoom link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
April 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Please join us for the KU Trade War Lab Speaker Series on Wednesday 4/9 at 1pm CDT for a virtual talk on "Outward Foreign Direct Investment: A Chinese Foreign Policy Tool" by Dr. Roselyn Hsueh (Temple) & Dr. James Frick (US AWC)
RSVP by 4/8 for zoom link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
RSVP by 4/8 for zoom link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
China imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 15% on US farm products and blacklisted more than 15 companies #TradeWar
1) 15% tariffs on poultry, wheat, corn, & cotton
2) 10% tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, & dairy products
3) +15 to unreliable entities list
1) 15% tariffs on poultry, wheat, corn, & cotton
2) 10% tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, & dairy products
3) +15 to unreliable entities list
March 4, 2025 at 9:21 AM
China imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 15% on US farm products and blacklisted more than 15 companies #TradeWar
1) 15% tariffs on poultry, wheat, corn, & cotton
2) 10% tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, & dairy products
3) +15 to unreliable entities list
1) 15% tariffs on poultry, wheat, corn, & cotton
2) 10% tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, & dairy products
3) +15 to unreliable entities list
Please join us for the KU Trade War Lab Speaker Series on Wednesday 2/26 at 1pm CST for a virtual talk on "Geopolitical Shock, Firm Response, and Financial Performance of American Suppliers" by Kexin Bai & Quan Li (Texas A&M)
RSVP by 2/22 for the paper & zoom link:
forms.gle/gR1XUtFXSmf6...
RSVP by 2/22 for the paper & zoom link:
forms.gle/gR1XUtFXSmf6...
February 12, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Please join us for the KU Trade War Lab Speaker Series on Wednesday 2/26 at 1pm CST for a virtual talk on "Geopolitical Shock, Firm Response, and Financial Performance of American Suppliers" by Kexin Bai & Quan Li (Texas A&M)
RSVP by 2/22 for the paper & zoom link:
forms.gle/gR1XUtFXSmf6...
RSVP by 2/22 for the paper & zoom link:
forms.gle/gR1XUtFXSmf6...