China Responds to US Tariffs with Retaliatory Measures

Researchers from Shenzhen MSU-BIT University have developed an innovative computational algorithm that enhances the efficiency of peridynamics, a theory for modeling fractures and material damage, by up to 800 times. This breakthrough significantly accelerates large-scale material simulations, which are crucial in aerospace, civil engineering, and defense, according to Associate Professor Yang Yang and her research team. The traditional peridynamics simulations are known to be slow and resource-intensive. However, utilizing Nvidia's CUDA technology, the new PD-General framework optimizes both algorithm design and memory management, achieving performance improvements over standard methods. In tests, the enhanced framework processed millions of iterations efficiently, completing complex simulations on consumer-grade GPUs rather than requiring expensive high-performance computing clusters. This development not only streamlines material analysis across multiple industries but also reduces reliance on restricted foreign technology amid current global trade restrictions. The findings were published in the Chinese Journal of Computational Mechanics on January 8, 2025.

China has retaliated against President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods by imposing new tariffs on selected U.S. imports, while also launching an antitrust investigation into Google. The measures came into effect Tuesday, with China announcing a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas and a 10% tariff on crude oil and agricultural machinery, among others. According to China's State Council Tariff Commission, the U.S. tariffs are a violation of World Trade Organization rules and hinder economic cooperation between the two nations. Analysts noted that this response is part of a broader pattern of tit-for-tat trade actions, reminiscent of the trade war that began in 2018. John Gong, a professor in Beijing, described China's approach as "measured," reflecting a desire to avoid escalation. Experts warn that ongoing tensions could have global repercussions, including reduced GDP growth and inflation in the U.S. Furthermore, the Chinese government has included U.S. companies PVH Group and Illumina on an unreliable entities list, further increasing tensions in economic relations.

China has initiated a probe against Google, citing suspected violations of its Anti-Monopoly Law, as stated by the State Administration for Market Regulation. This action follows the U.S. government's recent implementation of a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, which has heightened tensions between the two nations. In a statement, the Chinese regulator announced the investigation into Google, a U.S. tech giant, asserting that it would proceed "in accordance with the law." Additionally, Beijing plans to categorize U.S. fashion brand PVH Corp., which owns Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, along with biotech firm Illumina, as "unreliable entities." This classification is aimed at protecting China's national interests and market integrity, according to the country's commerce ministry. Beijing's intensified scrutiny also stems from its ongoing investigation into PVH for alleged discriminatory practices against Chinese enterprises linked to the Xinjiang region, which has faced international criticism for its human rights record. These developments signal a continuation of escalating economic hostilities between China and the United States.