The US and China are locked in a trade war
Trade war threatens China’s hydrogen export ambitions
Tariffs and other protectionist measures raise questions about China’s plans to export green fuels and electrolysers, despite its huge cost advantages
The outbreak of a full-scale trade war between the US and China may force Chinese hydrogen players to rethink any potential pivot away from their subdued domestic market to large-scale exports of e-fuels and electrolysers—particularly as target markets such as Europe will be on guard against a new flood of Chinese products. The trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies escalated dramatically on 11 April as China said it would hike levies on US imports from 84% to 125% and reiterated a previous vow to fight “to the end”. “Even if the US continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of the world economy” Chi
Also in this section
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
6 January 2026
Shifts in government policy and rising power demand will shape the clean hydrogen sector as it attempts to gain momentum following a sluggish performance in 2025
23 December 2025
Government backing and inflow of private capital point to breakthrough year for rising star of the country’s clean energy sector
