China recently declared it would no longer respond to U.S. tariff hikes, dismissing further increases from President Trump as a “joke.” Instead, Beijing has shifted to non-tariff measures, such as tightening rare-earth mineral exports and launching antitrust probes into U.S. firms like Google and DuPont. Trump, meanwhile, raised tariffs on select Chinese goods by up to 245%. In response, China imposed duties of up to 125% on U.S. imports and added firms like PVH and Illumina to its “unreliable entity” list.

In its latest move, China halted Boeing aircraft deliveries and aircraft part purchases, intensifying pressure on the struggling U.S. exporter. Authorities also accused three individuals of cyberattacks linked to the U.S. NSA and urged Chinese businesses to avoid American technology.

China is broadening the trade war to services, threatening curbs on U.S. legal and consulting firms. With education, tourism, and media in focus, the reputational impact could be significant. Analysts expect Beijing to continue using regulatory tools to pressure U.S. firms, as tensions deepen and hopes for immediate negotiations wane.

Read More: Reopening of Sterkfontein Caves: A Step Closer to Our Human Origins