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EventAction

China retaliates: 15% on US coal and LNG, 10% on crude oil, farm machinery and some vehicles (effective 2025-02-10)

China's finance ministry announced on 4 February 2025, shortly after the US 10% tariff took effect, tariffs of 15% on US coal and liquefied natural gas and 10% on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement cars and pickup trucks, effective 10 February. It also announced export controls on some critical-mineral products.

Date
Kind
Tariff action
Where
China
Evidence
Action: Something was done: a law switched on, a tariff imposed, money committed. How evidence is weighed
Who
United States federal government (target); Government of China (acted)

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Tested hypotheses: a thought experiment

Suppose Washington foresaw and wanted this. Would this event look any different than under the rival readings? This is a deliberately contrarian test, explained here, not the author’s belief. Judgments, not measurements.

Non-discriminating: this event fits the plain self-interest reading and the foresight reading equally. It does not tell them apart. What this means

ReadingFitWhy
I0a Accident
Tested hypothesis (intent)
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
I0b Plain self-interest; Canada's response not considered
Tested hypothesis (intent)
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
I1 Foreseen and welcomed, not the reason
Tested hypothesis (intent)
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
I2 Foreseen and wanted (this level or higher)
Tested hypothesis (intent)
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
I3 Worked-out plan with specific targets
Tested hypothesis (intent)
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
R-annex Annexation
Rival reading
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
R-frag Fragmentation
Rival reading
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.
R-weaken Weaken-Canada rivals (annexation or fragmentation)
Rival reading
Neutral weakThis event concerns China's retaliation against the US, not Canada; it fits all readings equally and says nothing about Canada's build-out or about Canada as a target.