Take Care LedgerA dated, sourced record of the second Trump administration

China and North Korea

Updated2026-11-09 Covers2025-01-20 to 2026-11-09

Summary

A tariff is a tax on goods coming into the country, paid by the importer. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods reached 145% before the May 2025 truce in Geneva, the first of a series of truces.1,11 Alongside the truces, the administration took three other steps. It licensed AI-chip sales to China in return for a share of the revenue. It postponed a rule on export controls, which are limits on what may be sold abroad. And it changed its position on visas for Chinese students.17,8,15 On Feb 20, 2026 the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Learning Resources v. Trump49. It held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA),47 the law cited for the first tariffs, does not allow tariffs.2 IEEPA is a law that lets the President restrict trade with other countries in a declared national emergency. The administration told Congress of $11.1 billion in Taiwan arms sales in December 2025, then held back a further package of about $14 billion before the Beijing summit.58,70 It let the Hong Kong sanctions emergency lapse in July 2026. (Sanctions are government penalties that freeze a person’s assets and bar dealings with them.)60 Trump called North Korea a “nuclear power” and said he wanted to meet Kim Jong Un. No meeting has taken place.3 As of Nov 8, 2026 the China truce has been extended, reportedly to Jan 10, 2027, and Trump–Xi meetings are scheduled for Nov 18–19 and Dec 14–15.4,5

Background

For a long time, the U.S. refused to recognize North Korea (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK) as a nuclear-weapons state. The November 2025 U.S.–South Korea fact sheet again named denuclearization, meaning getting rid of the North’s nuclear weapons, as the goal.3 The 1982 Six Assurances are promises the U.S. made about Taiwan. One commits the U.S. not to consult Beijing in advance on arms sales to Taiwan.52 A sanctions law passed after the Tiananmen crackdown bars arms sales to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).53,6,7 The Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA)51 governs export licenses and the Entity List, a list of foreign firms that face trade limits. It ties those decisions to national-security and foreign-policy goals.8

IEEPA (1977) lets the President “regulate” imports in a declared emergency. It does not mention tariffs.9 When Trump took office, the Cyber Safety Review Board (CSRB) was investigating Salt Typhoon. That hacking campaign, linked to China’s Ministry of State Security, broke into U.S. telecom networks, including Trump’s and Vance’s phones.10

What happened

Tariffs

Tariffs began with 10% IEEPA tariffs on Chinese goods, tied to fentanyl (Feb 1, 2025).9 On Mar 24 Executive Order (EO) 14245 allowed a 25% tariff on all goods from any country that buys Venezuelan oil, directly or through middlemen. An executive order is a written order from the President to the agencies he runs. China, the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil, was the most exposed. India and Spain would also face the tax unless exempted.42 On Apr 9, Trump announced a pause in tariffs that left out China. He raised the tariff on Chinese goods to 125%, after China raised its tariffs on U.S. goods to 84%.1 The rates reached 145% and 125% before the May truce.11 For the truces that lowered these rates, see Summits and the trade truce below.

On Feb 20, 2026, the day of the Learning Resources ruling, EO 14389 ended two tariffs. One was the Venezuelan-oil tariff. The other was EO 14382 (Feb 6), which had allowed a tariff of about 25% on goods from any country that buys anything from Iran.42,44 A Jul 23 replacement under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 197448 set rates of 10% or 12.5% on 60 economies.20 That trade law lets the government raise tariffs when another country trades unfairly. Under Operation Economic Outcast (Aug 24), the Treasury did not impose secondary sanctions on China, the largest buyer of Iran’s oil. Secondary sanctions are penalties on outside companies or countries that deal with a sanctioned country.28 On Oct 16, two days before they took effect, Trump waived, or set aside, duties of up to 100% under the Graham act54. The duties were aimed at the top buyers of Russian oil, in practice China and India.30

Summits and the trade truce

The May 12, 2025 truce in Geneva cut the U.S. rate to 30% and China’s to 10% for 90 days.12 EO 14334 (Aug 11) extended that pause to Nov 10, 2025.56,66 At the Oct 30, 2025 Trump–Xi summit in South Korea, the U.S. agreed to put off the Commerce “Affiliates Rule,” which covered subsidiaries. That rule extended Entity List limits to companies at least 50% owned by listed Chinese firms.8,55 In return, China paused its limits on exports of rare earths, minerals used in electronics.8 A Commerce rule of Nov 12, 2025 suspended the Affiliates Rule from Nov 10, 2025 to Nov 9, 2026, one year.67 A further rule dated Nov 9, 2026 extends the suspension through Jan 10, 2027.55 On Nov 9, at Trump’s direction, the Trade Representative also put off two other Section 301 measures until Jan 10, 2027. They are fees on ships linked to China that come to U.S. ports, and duties on cranes from China that load and unload ships. The notice said the pause allows “further discussion with China.”79 The same day, the Trade Representative kept 178 products free of the separate Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods through Jan 9, 2027. Without that step, the tariffs would have applied to those goods.80 When the truce took effect on Nov 10, the fentanyl tariff was cut in half, to 10%.19 China also promised to buy at least 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans a year.19

The Beijing state visit was postponed because of the Iran war (Mar 25, 2026). It took place May 13–15.21 Commerce cleared 10 Chinese firms to buy H200 chips, and Trump said China would order 200 Boeing jets.22,23 China confirmed a 200-aircraft commitment on May 20, without models, prices or delivery dates.23 Trump Organization spokeswoman Kimberly Benza told Reuters on Apr 14 that Eric and Lara Trump would travel “in a personal capacity,” with Eric going “as a supportive son.”24 Xi’s visit to Washington (Sept 23–27) extended the truce. It also cut tariffs on $30 billion of goods each way.4 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was reported on Nov 5, 2026 to be asking China to press Iran to end the war.31 On Nov 6 he and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer pressed Vice Premier He Lifeng for “concrete actions” on farm purchases and rare earths.5

AI chip exports

Nvidia and AMD agreed on Aug 11, 2025 to pay the government 15% of their revenue from China sales of certain AI chips. In return, they got export licenses. The administration had restricted those chips in April, citing national security.17 On Dec 8 Trump said Nvidia could ship its more powerful H200 chips to approved Chinese customers. The U.S. government would get 25% of the revenue.18 A Commerce rule published Jan 15, 2026 changed how license requests for H200-class chips for China are handled. Before, they were presumed to be denied. Now each one is reviewed case by case. Exporters must certify that supply to U.S. customers would not be reduced. The chips must also be tested by an outside party in the U.S.68 Proclamation 11002 (Jan 14), a formal announcement by the President, set a 25% Section 232 import duty on those chips. That trade law lets the President raise tariffs when imports threaten national security.57 The clearance of 10 Chinese buyers in May is under Summits and the trade truce above.

Taiwan and Hong Kong

In late July 2025 the administration refused to let Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te pass through New York on a planned trip to Central America. The Financial Times and Taiwan News reported on Jul 29 that the refusal followed protests from China. They reported it was driven mainly by U.S.–China trade talks. Taiwan’s Presidential Office said Lai had no travel plans, citing typhoon recovery and tariff talks.16 On Dec 17 the State Department told Congress of eight Taiwan arms sales worth $11.1 billion, including 82 HIMARS launchers and 420 ATACMS missiles. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing “firmly opposes” U.S.–Taiwan military contact.58 NPR reported on Mar 4, 2026 that two Taiwan packages worth up to $14 billion had been held back before Congress was notified. Asked in February, Trump said, “Talking to him about it.”70 After the May summit, the acting Navy secretary said the package had been delayed. AP reported on Sept 29 that it was still stalled.76,77 Ambassador David Perdue gave an account of Xi’s Washington visit on Sept 27. He said Trump asked Xi whether China wanted to buy U.S. weapons. Officials denied any such plan.7

The Hong Kong national emergency declared in 2020 lapsed on Jul 14, 2026 without a notice to continue it. A declared national emergency lets the President use special powers, such as sanctions.60 The administration had named six Hong Kong officials for sanctions on Mar 31, 2025, and the Treasury now took them off its list. It moved 39 others, including Chief Executive John Lee, to a narrower list that still bars most dealings with them.78 China’s Commerce Ministry called the move a step in “implementing understandings” from U.S.–China trade talks in Madrid.78

North Korea

On Jan 20, 2025 Trump called North Korea a “nuclear power.”3 Trump traveled to South Korea for the Oct 30, 2025 Xi summit. On that trip, he said he would “love to meet” Kim. No meeting took place.3 North Korean diplomats had refused to accept a letter from Trump. In a Jul 29, 2025 statement, Kim Yo Jong said U.S. recognition of the North’s changed status as a nuclear state should come first, before “everything in the future.”3

On Aug 17, 2026 Trump ordered joint drills with South Korea “substantially” reduced. He said they sent a “totally inappropriate and hostile” signal. He called Kim’s government “unthreatening and respectful.” He also cited Seoul’s refusal to join the U.S. in the “denuclearization” of Iran.26 Over the next two days, Trump said Kim had answered his outreach (“Yeah, he has”). He told South Korea, “We can’t go around and protect all of these countries,” adding, “We have 39,000 soldiers over there.”65 The two governments then shortened the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise from Aug 17–27 to Aug 17–21, cutting it to five days. The Wall Street Journal, as relayed by CNBC, reported that Trump had privately discussed meeting Kim in person. The meeting would be around the November Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen.65 North Korea fired ballistic missiles for the fourth time in about a month (Oct 12–14). This came after Kim showed off the Hwasong-20 long-range missile (ICBM). Trump said he “may” meet Kim on his Asia trip.29

Hacking, espionage and election claims

On Jan 21, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dismissed all CSRB members. The board did not complete its Salt Typhoon review.10 In April, Trump fired Gen. Timothy Haugh, head of the National Security Agency (NSA). The New York Times reported this came after activist Laura Loomer urged his removal.10 The record shows no new sanctions on Chinese state entities over Salt Typhoon.10 On Nov 7, 2025 Trump pardoned former New York Police Department (NYPD) sergeant Michael McMahon. A pardon forgives a federal crime and erases the penalties. McMahon was convicted in 2023 of acting as an unregistered PRC agent in “Operation Fox Hunt,” Beijing’s campaign to force dissidents to return. He was sentenced to 18 months. He said he believed he worked for a private company.43 On Jul 16, 2026 Trump said China had carried out “the largest compromise of election data in history.” NPR reported that the documents he declassified did not support the claim.25 On Aug 26–27 U.S. officials disclosed a Chinese hacking campaign against NASA, the Senate and other targets.27

Panama ports and student visas

Trump claimed that Chinese companies had taken control of the Panama Canal ports. A group led by BlackRock agreed on Mar 4, 2025 to buy CK Hutchison’s canal ports. Beijing opened an antitrust review, a check on whether a deal hurts competition, and the sale did not close.13 Panama’s Supreme Court ruled on Jan 29, 2026 that Hutchison’s concession, its contract to run the ports, was unconstitutional. The ruling followed an audit by the comptroller that alleged problems with the concession’s 25-year extension. The court’s statement gave no guidance on the future of the Balboa and Cristóbal ports.39,69 Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 28 that the U.S. would “aggressively revoke” Chinese students’ visas.14 Trump said on Aug 25 that he would allow 600,000 Chinese students.15

Key dates

Why it matters

Tariffs. The Constitution gives Congress the power to tax imports (Article I, §8 cl. 1)45 and to regulate trade with other countries (cl. 3).46 IEEPA (50 U.S.C. §§1701–1702) lets the President “regulate” imports in a declared emergency. Section 301 (19 U.S.C. §2411) lets the Trade Representative act against unfair trade practices. The question is whether the power to “regulate” includes the power to impose tariffs. The administration said it does, citing a fentanyl emergency for the first China tariffs.9 On Feb 20, 2026 the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that it does not.2,50 Importers sued on Jul 24, 2026. They argue that Section 301 does not allow the nearly uniform replacement tariffs on 60 economies.71 The Court of International Trade heard argument on Sept 30, and more written arguments came on Oct 16, but no ruling was listed as of Nov 8 (Tariffs and Trade Policy).20,37,72 Cato, a research group, estimates $170–175 billion was collected without legal authority.33

Export controls and chip revenue. The laws here are ECRA (50 U.S.C. §4801 and following sections) and the Constitution’s Export Clause (Art. I, §9, cl. 5). The Export Clause says “No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State,” so the government may not tax exports.32 ECRA says “[n]o fee may be charged” for handling a license application (50 U.S.C. §4815(c)). It has no provision for revenue shares.51 The question is whether a license may require a payment to the government, and whether that payment is a tax on exports.32 Nvidia’s FY2026 annual report (10-K) says officials “expressed an expectation” of 15% of licensed H20 sales, without a regulation. The H200 share was recast as the 25% Section 232 duty. That duty is collected when the chips are brought into the U.S., where they must pass an inspection before going to the customer (Government Equity Stakes and Chip Export Deals).32,57 The record does not include the administration’s legal basis for the H20 share. No review by a court, an inspector general (an agency’s internal watchdog) or the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is recorded. Nvidia reported about $60 million in H20 revenue under the licenses and no H200 revenue as of the filing.32

Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act §3 (22 U.S.C. §3302) says “the President and the Congress shall determine” Taiwan’s defense needs. They must base this solely on their judgment of those needs.63 The Arms Export Control Act §36(b) (22 U.S.C. §2776(b)) requires notice to Congress before an arms sale.64 The 1982 Six Assurances and the post-Tiananmen ban on arms sales to the PRC also apply.6,7 There are two questions. First, the law says those decisions rest “solely” on that judgment, and the U.S. promised not to consult Beijing in advance. Is holding a cleared Taiwan package while discussing it with Beijing consistent with both? Second, could any sale of U.S. weapons to China be made under the post-Tiananmen ban? Trump said he would discuss Taiwan arms sales with Xi and would “make a determination pretty soon.” After Perdue’s Sept 27 account, U.S. officials denied any plan to sell weapons to China.6,59,70,7 The December 2025 sales were reported to Congress. The $14 billion package had not been reported as of Sept 29, 2026, and Taiwan’s defense minister said Taiwan had received no notice of changes.58,77 Beyond senators’ pressure before the summit, no action by Congress is recorded.6

Hong Kong sanctions. The National Emergencies Act §202(d) (50 U.S.C. §1622(d)) says an emergency ends on its anniversary unless the President publishes a notice continuing it.61 The Hong Kong Autonomy Act (Pub. L. 116-149) requires sanctions on people named in its reports.62 The question is whether letting the emergency lapse during trade talks changes sanctions that Congress made mandatory by law. The Treasury kept the 39 people named in the act’s reports under the act’s narrower sanctions. It removed those blocked only under the order that lapsed.78 No court or congressional action is recorded.60

Sanctions laws and waivers. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act required duties of up to 100% on the top buyers of Russian oil and gas. The President could waive them (Russia and Ukraine).30 The question is how far a waiver may set aside duties that Congress passed into law. Trump certified that waiving nearly all of the act was in the “national interest.” The waivers have no end date.30 No court challenge or congressional vote is recorded, and China and India pay no duty under the act.30 In August 2025 India alone received an added 25% IEEPA duty for buying Russian oil. China did not.34 Under Operation Economic Outcast, the Treasury sanctioned entities tied to Iran but not Chinese buyers (The 2026 Iran War).28

Related. News reports said the Pentagon had planned a China briefing for Elon Musk. Afterward, Trump said “Elon has businesses in China, and he would be susceptible, perhaps” (Musk, DOGE and Conflict-of-Interest Questions).35,75 A July 2026 DHS rule limited media visas to 90 days for Chinese nationals.36 On Aug 18, the NewsGuild-CWA and higher-education groups sued. Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV issued a preliminary injunction against the rule on Sept 14. That kind of order stops a rule until the case is decided (Student Visas and Speech-Based Removals, FCC Actions and Press Access).73,74 The election-data claim is in Federal Actions on Election Administration.25

Outcome

Where things stand

As of Nov 8, 2026 the trade truce with China is in force, reportedly through Jan 10, 2027, and Trump–Xi meetings are scheduled. One is at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Shenzhen (Nov 18–19). The other is at the G20 summit at Trump’s Doral resort (Dec 14–15). A Putin–Trump–Xi meeting is possible.4,5,40 The deadline for China’s 12-million-ton 2025 soybean pledge was moved to the end of February 2026, and traders put purchases near 10 million tons on Jan 6, 2026. China was on track for the 25-million-ton 2026/27 minimum, with about 10 million by Sept 10. But it had bought no U.S. corn and less sorghum than expected.38 A Reuters analysis on Nov 2 found China’s purchases of U.S. farm goods other than soybeans at their lowest level since 2019. That was despite the $17 billion-a-year pledge the White House announced in May. The White House has not said when that pledge’s clock started.81 On Nov 9 the Trade Representative put off port fees and crane duties on China until Jan 10, 2027, and kept 178 product exclusions through Jan 9, 2027.79,80 The Boeing deal remains a commitment by the government, with no firm orders from airlines as of November.23

There has been no meeting with North Korea. There had been four ballistic missile launches by mid-October, and no Trump–Kim meeting is scheduled.3,29,65 Gaps: whether China’s corn and sorghum purchases catch up, and whether any Boeing commitment becomes firm orders.

Status

Item Status Latest development (date) What would change it
IEEPA tariffs on China Blocked Ruled not allowed by law in Learning Resources v. Trump (Feb 20, 2026)2 —
Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies (10% or 12.5%) In force In effect since Jul 24, 2026; importers sued Jul 24 and the case was argued Sept 30, with no ruling as of Nov 820,37,71,72 A ruling by the Court of International Trade37
Venezuelan-oil and Iran secondary tariffs Reversed Ended by EO 14389 (Feb 20, 2026)42,44 A new order under another law
Graham act Russian-oil duties on China Reversed Set aside by a national-interest certification, with no end date (Oct 16, 2026)30 A presidential decision to apply them
U.S.–China trade truce In force Extended at Xi’s Washington visit, reportedly to Jan 10, 2027 (Sept 23–27, 2026)4 Expiry Jan 10, 2027; APEC meeting Nov 18–194,5
China’s rare-earth export controls Reversed Suspended by China under the truce19 End of the truce
Affiliates Rule (Entity List subsidiaries) Reversed Suspension extended through Jan 10, 2027 (rule dated Nov 9, 2026)55 Suspension ends, Jan 10, 202755
Section 301 port fees on China-linked ships and duties on Chinese cranes Reversed Suspended again until Jan 10, 2027, at Trump’s direction (Nov 9, 2026)79 Suspension ends, Jan 10, 202779
Exclusions for 178 products from the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods In force Extended through Jan 9, 2027 (Nov 9, 2026)80 Exclusions end, Jan 9, 202780
Farm purchase commitments Unresolved Soybeans on track (Sept 10, 2026); other farm purchases at their lowest level since 2019, despite the $17 billion-a-year pledge (Reuters, Nov 2, 2026)38,81 Purchase data; a White House statement on when the $17 billion pledge started81
Boeing 200-aircraft commitment Unresolved No firm orders from airlines (November 2026)23 Firm airline orders
Chip revenue-share licenses and H200 review In force Case-by-case rule (Jan 15, 2026); 10 Chinese firms cleared for H200s (May 2026)57,68,22 A Commerce rule change
Taiwan arms sales ($11.1 billion) Concluded Reported to Congress (Dec 17, 2025)58 —
Taiwan arms package (~$14 billion) Pending Still stalled before Congress was notified (Sept 29, 2026)77 Administration notice to Congress; no date
Hong Kong national emergency Reversed Lapsed without being continued (Jul 14, 2026)60 A new emergency declaration
Hong Kong Autonomy Act sanctions In force 39 officials, including John Lee, remain listed (Jul 17, 2026)78 Treasury taking them off the list
Panama Canal ports Concluded Panama’s Supreme Court cancelled Hutchison’s concession (Jan 29, 2026)39,69 —
U.S.–South Korea drills Reversed Ulchi Freedom Shield cut to five days (Aug 17–21, 2026)26,65 Next exercise schedule
Trump–Kim meeting Unresolved None held or scheduled (mid-October 2026)29,65 An announced meeting

Who is affected

Tariffs reach U.S. importers of Chinese goods, including tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). They also reach U.S. exporters facing China’s tariffs in return. The truce’s purchase pledges reach U.S. farmers and Boeing.1,11,38,23 Export-license terms reach Nvidia, AMD and Chinese chip buyers.17,22,32 Arms-sale decisions reach Taiwan.58,77 The lapse of the Hong Kong emergency reached officials on U.S. sanctions lists.60,78 Fewer joint drills affected U.S. and South Korean forces.26,65 The arc also touched the federal board reviewing the Salt Typhoon telecom hack. It touched a man convicted as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the sale of Panama Canal ports.10,43,13

Key players

Chronology

Sources

  1. NBC News: Trump announces 90-day tariff pause, what to know · Timeline 2025-04-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  2. Supreme Court: Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump opinion (PDF) · SCOTUSblog: Supreme Court strikes down tariffs · Timeline 2026-02-20 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  3. Al Jazeera: North Korea says US must accept its nuclear status · 38 North: the 2026 window for US–DPRK diplomacy · Timeline 2025-01-20 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  4. FT: US and China extend trade truce · Reuters: China, US agree to $30B tariff cut and AI dialogue · Timeline 2026-09-23 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  5. The Standard (HK): US urges China to meet rare earths, agriculture commitments · Timeline 2025-11-10 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  6. Bloomberg: senators push Trump on Taiwan arms package ahead of Xi summit · Timeline 2025-07 (late) → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  7. FT: Trump asked Xi if China wanted to buy US weapons · NYT: weapons sale to China · Timeline 2026-09-27 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  8. White House: fact sheet on China economic and trade deal · CNBC: what Trump and Xi agreed to in the trade truce · Timeline 2025-10-30 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  9. White House: fact sheet on tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China · CRS: EO 14193 · Timeline 2025-02-01 → ledger ↩↩↩

  10. NYT: Haugh firing and cyber-defense cuts · NSA: joint advisory on Chinese state-sponsored actors · Timeline 2025-01-21 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  11. CNBC: China strikes back with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods · Timeline 2025-05-12 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  12. White House: Joint Statement on U.S.–China Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva · Timeline 2025-05-12 → ledger ↩↩↩

  13. Reuters: CK Hutchison to sell 80% stake in ports · AP: Hong Kong, Panama Canal, Hutchison, BlackRock · Timeline 2025-03-04 → ledger ↩↩↩

  14. NBC News: U.S. will “aggressively” revoke Chinese students’ visas, Rubio says · Timeline 2025-05-28 → ledger ↩↩

  15. Al Jazeera: How Trump’s newfound love for Chinese students is drawing MAGA backlash (Aug 25 Oval Office remark) · Timeline 2025-05-28 → ledger ↩↩

  16. Taiwan News: Lai drops overseas trip after Trump blocks New York stopover · Irish Times (FT): Trump blocks Taiwan’s president from New York stopover · Timeline 2025-07 (late) → ledger ↩↩

  17. BBC: Nvidia and AMD to pay 15% of China chip sales to US government · FT: Nvidia and AMD to pay 15% · Timeline 2025-08-11 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  18. Guardian: China blocks H200 chips US cleared for export · Timeline 2025-12-08 → ledger ↩

  19. White House: fact sheet on China economic and trade deal · Supply Chain Dive: US–China trade truce · Timeline 2025-11-10 → ledger ↩↩↩

  20. USTR: USTR Takes Action in Forced Labor Section 301 Investigations · Timeline 2026-07-23 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  21. AP: Trump’s China trip delayed by Iran war · Timeline 2026-03-25 → ledger ↩

  22. Reuters: US clears H200 chip sales to 10 China firms · Timeline 2026-05-13 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  23. CNBC: China confirms 200 Boeing aircraft order · Timeline 2026-05-20 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  24. Reuters (via KFGO): Trump’s son Eric to join father’s state visit to China · Timeline 2026-04-14 → ledger ↩

  25. NPR: In primetime speech, Trump doesn’t provide evidence for illegal voting · Timeline 2026-07-16 → ledger ↩↩

  26. Reuters: Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea · Times of Israel/AP: Trump tells Pentagon to scale back joint exercises with South Korea · Timeline 2026-08-17 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  27. CNN: US says Chinese hackers hit hospitals, NASA, Senate and more · AP via Alabama Daily News: ‘economic D-Day’ threats become warnings · Timeline 2026-08-26 → ledger ↩

  28. AP via Alabama Daily News: ‘economic D-Day’ threats become warnings · Timeline 2026-08-24 → ledger ↩↩↩

  29. NBC News: Kim showcases missile capable of reaching US as Trump signals possible meeting · UPI: Trump says he may meet North Korea’s Kim during Asia trip · Timeline 2026-10-12 to 14 → ledger ↩↩↩

  30. ABC News: Trump signs order waiving Graham Act sanctions on Russia · RFE/RL: Trump waives Graham Act sanctions on Russia before they take effect · Timeline 2026-10-16 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  31. Axios: Trump weighs Iran war decision · Timeline 2026-11-05 → ledger ↩

  32. Nvidia Form 10-K FY2026 (SEC) · BBC: Nvidia and AMD to pay 15% of China chip sales to US government · Timeline 2025-08-11 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  33. Cato: sore losers refusing refunds · Timeline 2026-02-20 → ledger ↩↩

  34. WaPo: India, Modi, Trump tariffs · Timeline 2025-08-06 → ledger ↩

  35. CNN: Trump says Musk wasn’t briefed on China war plan · Timeline 2025-03-20 → ledger ↩

  36. Time: Trump Administration Limits the Duration of Student and Journalist Visas · Timeline 2026-07-16 → ledger ↩

  37. Liberty Justice Center: Small businesses sue Trump administration to stop latest wave of tariffs on 60 trade partners · Liberty Justice Center: Court of International Trade to hear challenge to sweeping Section 301 tariffs · Timeline 2026-07-23 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  38. UkrAgroConsult (Reuters): China on track with US soybean purchases but lags on corn and sorghum · Timeline 2025-11-10 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  39. NBC News (AP): Hong Kong company’s concession to operate Panama Canal ports is ruled unconstitutional · Timeline 2025-03-04 → ledger ↩↩↩

  40. NBC News/Reuters: Trump says he met with Putin envoy, sees Ukraine deal soon · Timeline 2026-11-05 → ledger ↩

  41. WaPo: top inauguration donors · OpenSecrets: 2025 inauguration donors · Timeline 2025-01-20 → ledger ↩

  42. Federal Register: EO 14245 · Bloomberg: Trump authorizes 25% ‘secondary’ tariff on Venezuela oil buyers · Timeline 2025-03-24 → ledger ↩↩↩

  43. DOJ Office of the Pardon Attorney: Clemency grants 2025–present · Press Democrat (NY Daily News): Trump pardons ex-NYPD cop convicted of acting as agent of China · Timeline 2025-11-07 → ledger ↩↩↩

  44. Federal Register: EO 14382 · Federal Register: EO 14389 Ending Certain Tariff Actions · Timeline 2026-02-06 → ledger ↩↩

  45. Cornell LII: U.S. Constitution, Article I (§8, cl. 1) legal authority ↩

  46. Cornell LII: U.S. Constitution, Article I (§8, cl. 3) legal authority ↩

  47. Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. §1701 · Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. §1702 legal authority ↩

  48. Cornell LII: 19 U.S.C. §2411 legal authority ↩

  49. Supreme Court: Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, No. 24-1287, 607 U.S. ___ (Feb 20, 2026) legal authority ↩

  50. Cornell LII: U.S. Constitution, Article I (§9, cl. 5) legal authority ↩

  51. Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. §4801 (Export Control Reform Act of 2018, short-title note) · Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. §4815 legal authority ↩↩

  52. CRS In Focus IF11665: President Reagan’s Six Assurances to Taiwan (Oct 8, 2020) legal authority ↩

  53. Cornell LII: 22 U.S.C. §2151, statutory note “Suspension of Certain Programs and Activities Relating to the People’s Republic of China” (Pub. L. 101-246, §902) legal authority ↩

  54. White House: EO 14436, Implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (Oct 16, 2026) · Holland & Knight: Graham Act (Pub. L. 119-111) legal authority ↩

  55. Federal Register: One Year Suspension of Expansion of End-User Controls for Affiliates (FR 2025-19846) · Federal Register: Extension of the Suspension (FR 2026-22793, Nov 9, 2026) · BIS: Commerce expands Entity List to cover affiliates of listed entities · Timeline 2025-10-30 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩

  56. Federal Register: EO 14334 · PIIE: Trump’s trade war timeline (Aug 11, 2025 entry) · Timeline 2025-05-12 → ledger ↩

  57. BIS: Commerce revises license review policy for semiconductors exported to China · Federal Register: Revision to License Review Policy for Advanced Computing Commodities · Federal Register: Proclamation 11002 · Timeline 2025-12-08 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  58. Al Jazeera: US approves $11bn in arms sales to Taiwan in deal likely to anger China · Taipei Times: US announces US$11.1bn arms sales to Taiwan · Timeline 2025-12-17 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  59. NPR: Taiwan arms packages delayed ahead of Trump’s China visit (Mar 4, 2026) · Military Times: US arms sales pause would push Taiwan toward asymmetric-defense tech · Fortune (AP): A $14 billion U.S. arms deal to Taiwan is stalled · Timeline 2026-05-13 → ledger ↩

  60. OFAC: Hong Kong-related Designations Updates and Removals (Jul 17, 2026) · Federal Register: OFAC notice, 91 FR 46227 (Jul 22, 2026) · OFAC: Hong Kong-related Designations (Mar 31, 2025) · Dimsum Daily: U.S. revises Hong Kong sanctions lists after Executive Order lapses · Timeline 2026-07-14 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  61. Cornell LII: 50 U.S.C. §1622 legal authority ↩

  62. govinfo: Hong Kong Autonomy Act, Pub. L. 116-149 (Jul 14, 2020) legal authority ↩

  63. Cornell LII: 22 U.S.C. §3302 legal authority ↩

  64. Cornell LII: 22 U.S.C. §2776 legal authority ↩

  65. Al Jazeera: Trump says N Korea’s Kim has responded to his request for a conversation · CNBC: Seoul, Washington to halve joint drills as Trump reportedly seeks summit with Kim · Timeline 2026-08-17 (update) → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  66. Federal Register: EO 14334 · PIIE: Trump’s trade war timeline (Aug 11, 2025 entry) · Timeline 2025-08-11 → ledger ↩

  67. Federal Register: One Year Suspension of Expansion of End-User Controls for Affiliates (FR 2025-19846) · Timeline 2025-11-12 → ledger ↩↩

  68. Federal Register: Revision to License Review Policy for Advanced Computing Commodities · BIS: Commerce revises license review policy for semiconductors exported to China · Timeline 2026-01-15 → ledger ↩↩↩

  69. NBC News (AP): Hong Kong company’s concession to operate Panama Canal ports is ruled unconstitutional · Timeline 2026-01-29 → ledger ↩↩↩

  70. NPR: Taiwan arms packages delayed ahead of Trump’s China visit (Mar 4, 2026) · Timeline 2026-03-04 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  71. Liberty Justice Center: Small businesses sue Trump administration to stop latest wave of tariffs on 60 trade partners · CNBC: Trump sued hours after new tariffs take effect · Timeline 2026-07-24 → ledger ↩↩↩

  72. Liberty Justice Center: Court of International Trade to hear challenge to sweeping Section 301 tariffs · Liberty Justice Center: Burlap and Barrel, Inc. and Collective Horology, LLC v. Greer · Timeline 2026-09-30 → ledger ↩↩

  73. U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Markwayne Mullin targets press as secretary of homeland security · Timeline 2026-08-18 → ledger ↩

  74. U.S. Press Freedom Tracker: Markwayne Mullin targets press as secretary of homeland security · France 24/AFP: judge postpones student/journalist visa rules · Timeline 2026-09-14 → ledger ↩

  75. CNN: Trump says Musk wasn’t briefed on China war plan · Timeline 2025-03-21 → ledger ↩

  76. NPR: Taiwan arms packages delayed ahead of Trump’s China visit (Mar 4, 2026) · Military Times: US arms sales pause would push Taiwan toward asymmetric-defense tech · Timeline 2026-05-29 → ledger ↩

  77. Fortune (AP): A $14 billion U.S. arms deal to Taiwan is stalled · Timeline 2026-09-29 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩

  78. OFAC: Hong Kong-related Designations Updates and Removals (Jul 17, 2026) · Federal Register: OFAC notice, 91 FR 46227 (Jul 22, 2026) · OFAC: Hong Kong-related Designations (Mar 31, 2025) · Dimsum Daily: U.S. revises Hong Kong sanctions lists after Executive Order lapses · Timeline 2026-07-17 → ledger ↩↩↩↩↩↩↩

  79. Federal Register (public inspection, 2026-22867): Section 301 Action: China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors; Modification · Timeline 2026-11-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  80. Federal Register (public inspection, 2026-22925): Product Exclusion Extensions: China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, IP, and Innovation · Timeline 2026-11-09 → ledger ↩↩↩↩

  81. Yahoo Finance/Reuters: China’s slow buying of US farm goods tests $17 billion trade pledge · Timeline 2026-11-02 → ledger ↩↩↩↩