🌐 Trade War Escalates: U.S. vs. China Showdown!

The trade tensions between the United States and China have reached new heights. The U.S. has imposed tariffs ranging from 120% to 145% on Chinese imports, leading to significant disruptions in global supply chains. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that it's up to China to de-escalate the situation, citing the imbalance in trade volumes between the two nations .​Yahoo Finance+3New York Post+3AP News+3

The high tariffs are particularly burdensome for small U.S. businesses that rely on Chinese goods. Flexport CEO Ryan Petersen warned that up to 80% of these businesses could face bankruptcy due to the increased costs .​Business Insider

China, on the other hand, has downplayed the impact of the U.S. tariffs, asserting that it has sufficient tools to protect jobs and maintain economic stability. Chinese officials announced plans to support companies and unemployed workers, promote entrepreneurship, and ensure stable lending conditions .​AP News

In a significant move to prepare the future workforce, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) education into K-12 schools across the United States. The initiative aims to equip students with essential AI skills and competencies, ensuring that the nation remains competitive in the rapidly evolving technological landscape .​USA TODAY+1EdSurge+1The White House

The policy encourages collaboration between educators, industry leaders, and employers to create educational programs that provide students with hands-on experience in AI technologies. While the move has been lauded for its forward-thinking approach, some education leaders have expressed concerns about the implementation and the need for adequate resources and training for teachers .​The White House

The U.S. Department of Justice has intensified its legal battle with Google, arguing that the company's growing use of artificial intelligence could entrench its dominance in the search engine market. In a high-stakes antitrust trial that began this week, the DOJ claims that Google is leveraging AI to personalize results in a way that marginalizes competition, particularly from smaller, privacy-focused engines .​

Google denies any wrongdoing, stating that its AI advancements are meant to improve user experience, not stifle innovation. However, emails and internal memos presented during the trial suggest the company may be using AI strategically to extend exclusive deals with device manufacturers and browsers. If the DOJ succeeds, the outcome could reshape how tech giants are allowed to use emerging technologies to maintain their market positions.​

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its global growth forecast downward, citing escalating trade tensions and policy uncertainties. In its April 2025 World Economic Outlook report, the IMF projects global growth to decline after a period of steady but underwhelming performance .​IMF

The report highlights that the risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, with escalating trade tensions and elevated policy-induced uncertainty potentially hindering growth further. The IMF emphasizes the need for coordinated policy responses to mitigate these risks and support global economic stability.​IMF

In response to growing restrictions on U.S. chip exports, Chinese tech giant Huawei is accelerating the development of a new AI chip designed to rival those made by Nvidia. The chip, reportedly developed using domestically sourced technology, will power a new generation of enterprise-grade AI servers and smart devices .​

This development comes as part of Beijing’s broader strategy to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency amid intensifying U.S. export controls. Huawei's move is seen as a significant step in China's efforts to bolster its technological independence and reduce reliance on Western chipmakers.​wsj.com

We publish every Tuesday & Friday, delivering:

Whether you're a founder, freelancer, or simply curious about how the world is evolving — Linked Outlook is your twice-weekly lens on the future.

Share it with someone who’d appreciate smart, timely updates.

stay ahead of the curve.

The Rundown is the most trusted AI newsletter in the world, with 1,000,000+ readers and exclusive interviews with AI leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Demis Hassibis, Mustafa Suleyman, and more.

Their expert research team spends all day learning what’s new in AI and talking with industry experts, then distills the most important developments into one free email every morning.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

Keeping up with AI is hard – we get it!

That’s why over 1M professionals read Superhuman AI to stay ahead.

Sign up and start mastering AI