Trump Ignites an Economic Storm: China Strikes Back with an Export Chill – Is a USD Sell-Off Coming?

Washington, 12:01 AM – As the clock struck midnight, a 25% tariff storm began tearing through the global auto market. But this isn’t just about cars—it’s a declaration of war. Donald Trump, freshly reinstated in office, delivered a chilling message: “If they build tariff walls, we’ll build them twice as high.”

Trump is setting the global trade stage on fire, but China isn’t sitting idle. In a surprise move, Beijing abruptly announced a full suspension of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports—worth $2.4 billion annually. More than just a break-up, China swiftly pivoted toward Australia and Europe, reshaping the global energy chessboard.

The Sudden Shutout: Canada Pivots, China Steps In

When the U.S. threatened a 10% tariff on oil and gas imports from Canada—its closest trade partner—China saw a golden opening. Within weeks, energy giant Rangsheng opened an office in Calgary, signed supply deals with Canadian powerhouse Suncor, and lined up crude shipments bound for Chinese ports.

But China isn’t just buying oil. It’s buying the future of Canadian energy.

TMX – Canada’s Escape Route from U.S. Dependency

The Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX), completed in early 2024, is a strategic game-changer. The 1,200-kilometer pipeline tripled capacity from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels per day, enabling Canadian crude to flow directly to Pacific markets—Japan, South Korea, China—without passing through U.S. territory.

A country that once sent 95% of its oil to the U.S. is now opening its own gates to the world. And when infrastructure shifts, power dynamics follow.

Not Just Oil – LNG and Global Leverage

The LNG Canada project in British Columbia—a joint venture between Shell, Mitsubishi, and ProChina—is nearing completion. By late 2025, the first LNG shipments from Kitimat will carry the cold of North America into the energy-hungry Asian market.

Once a dependent supplier, Canada is rewriting its role: no longer just a raw resource exporter to the U.S., but an independent energy power charting its own global course.

U.S. Losing Control, China Gaining Speed

While Trump hopes to spark an “economic revival” in his second term, the numbers are turning against him:

S&P 500: down 6.3%

Dow Jones: down 4.4%

Nasdaq: down 10.8%

And in China?

MSCI China Index: up 28%

Hang Seng: up 26%

Foreign direct investment: up 8.4%

While the U.S. plays tariff games, China is investing in the future—AI, EVs, and infrastructure. DeepSeek AI is challenging ChatGPT with just a $6 million budget. BYD has overtaken Tesla in China and is now storming into Europe like a tidal wave.

So Who’s Really Winning?

Instead of striking back directly, China took the long game: cutting U.S. dependence, boosting domestic consumption, and sealing trade deals across the Asia-Pacific. While the U.S. plays chess with one hand, China is moving pieces with both—and slowly turning the global board in its favor.