As the United States under President Trump enters a new phase of strategic competition with China, a fresh wave of tariffs in 2025 has reignited tensions across the Pacific. Is this conflict a passing phase of protectionism, or the beginning of a long-term global realignment?

In this episode of the CISS Podcast, we are honored to speak with Professor John Gong, a leading expert on international economics, to unpack the structural forces behind this trade war. From industrial decoupling and subsidy races to innovation strategy and geopolitical bargaining, this conversation sheds light on what’s really at stake in the China-US rivalry.