The overall impact depends on whether President Trump continues to ease the duties he initially introduced or decides to pursue his original, aggressive approach. But some specific effects are already coming into focus.

Consumers, businesses, and even the prospects for U.S. manufacturing are all likely to become casualties in the escalating trade war between the U.S. and China, trade experts said.

Faced with economic disruption, Beijing is presenting itself as too powerful to succumb to U.S. pressure. It is also censoring criticism at home.