A social network analysis firm says it has uncovered an operation involving over 1,000 fake accounts working to shape online discourse surrounding the United States-China trade war in Beijing's favor. The 90-day ceasefire reached in Geneva, Switzerland, by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng reduced duties on imported Chinese and U.S. goods by 145 and 125 percent, respectively. While the deal paused what had become a near-total embargo and bought negotiators time, tensions remain.
Trump has said the tariffs were necessary to end "unfair" treatment of U.S. exports, revive domestic manufacturing, and close the trade deficit with the U.S.'s third-largest trading partner. In its political messaging, Beijing has sought to rally other countries targeted by tariffs and cast itself as a defender of the global trade order, standing up to bullying.
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