In this special investigative series, Smartkarma adopts a sum-of-the-parts approach to crystallise the key issues lying at the core of ongoing trade disputes, particularly those between the US and China.

Beyond tariffs, the discourse extends to other equally important areas of causation, from currency manipulation and supply-chain circumvention to intellectual property theft and modern‑day mercantilism.

All of them present an existential threat to the long‑held ideals of free and fair trade in today’s globalised world.