Tensions heighten as midnight deadline to avoid new duties passes without negotiations

Mid-range manufacturing push improves the Chinese position as trade war intensifies

The vice-president seeks advice to defuse trade tension but struggles to understand Trump

Shanghai and Shenzhen blue-chips are largely insulated from impact of US tariffs

President demands reform of system that he says works against US ecommerce

FTCR freight survey finds volumes growing and firms upbeat but profits still soft

Businesses expect to cope with 10% levy but further rise could hit hard

Four charts explain the potential effect of protectionist measures

Companies from the EU, Mexico and Japan could reap comparative advantage

White goods company blames trade war as it pulls back on scheme to import appliances

Chairman says promise to Trump ‘cannot be fulfilled’ as China trade tensions escalate

Li Keqiang’s pro-business pledges come a day after Trump ratchets up trade war

Trade associations support pushing Beijing to open markets but say tactics ‘ineffective’

Treasuries and Bunds sell off; Brent oil heads towards $80 a barrel

New tariffs aimed at Beijing leave little room for any settlement

Beijing slaps duties of up to 10 per cent on $60bn of American imports

Trump’s duties hit private rather than state companies and could help Xi politically

‘It’s going to be a mess,’ says Chinese tech group’s executive chairman