Who will blink first? US and China in a battle of wills over tit-for-tat tariffs

A bag of Fentanyl tablet is closed as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the San Ysidro Port of Entry, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in San Diego. The White House says China has failed to cooperate in curbing fentanyl trafficking. - AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON: Relations between the world’s two largest economies are at a dangerous impasse after China doubled down on its threat to retaliate against US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs.

It is hard not to see it as a battle of wills between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump. Both leaders have for years pursued world-changing goals and have a lot to lose if they are seen as weak by their political constituents.