China is strategically maneuvering in its trade war with the U.S., implementing a "high impact – low cost" strategy. It is using food as a weapon against Donald Trump’s administration, leveraging its import dependency to exert pressure.

China is the third-largest importer of U.S. agricultural products, relying heavily on seafood like fish and shrimp, along with garlic, honey, and pulses. In 2024, the total trade value of these imports is expected to exceed $3.9 billion.Chinese President Xi Jinping is considering increasing tariffs on these essential food imports to intensify economic pressure on the U.S.