Abbreviations and acronyms  vi

Foreword  vii

Introduction  1

Part I: The Long Fuse  6

1 America's Long Fuse: From Architect to Arsonist  7

2 China's Long Fuse: From Deal-making to Export Weaponisation  15

3 How Engagement Gave Way to Mutual Suspicion  25

Part II: The Sudden Trade War  31

4 Early Skirmishes: Shots Fired, Lessons Learnt, USA Emboldened  32

5 The April Shock: When Trumpian Grievance Met Financial Market Reality  38

6 The USA-China Battle  42

7 USA Negotiates: Trade Deals and Tariff Letters  48

8 The Great Containment: US Tariffs on Hold  58

Part III: The Unplanned Rebuild  68

9 The World Responds: Restraint, Bunkers, and Bridges.  69

10 Domino Regionalism and the Emergent World Trading Order  77