The issue of Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland has become a hot button one in recent years, and the Trump administration has announced a new plan that addresses this and other issues related to agricultural security.

Today, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced sanctions on eight Taiwanese companies, including major aerospace and shipbuilding firms, subjecting them to stricter export control measures.

Yesterday, President Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that 50% tariffs on copper would be imposed soon, on the basis of "national security" concerns.

In recent days and weeks, President Trump's trade negotiating agenda has set its sights on preventing transshipment of Chinese goods through third countries, in particular countries in Southeast Asia.

Leaders of Vietnam and China reaffirmed strong bilateral ties and agreed to boost cooperation, following a recently announced trade deal between Vietnam and the United States, which includes new tariffs that would target Chinese-origin goods transshipped through Vietnam.

China announced new restrictions on European Union medical device companies participating in its government procurement, a move Beijing described as a reciprocal response to similar measures adopted by the European Commission.

At a recent WTO meeting, China initiated a discussion of the U.S. "reciprocal" tariffs, with many other countries also weighing in.