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
25 February 2026
Low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia development is advancing much more slowly and unevenly than once expected, with high costs and policy uncertainty thinning investment. Meanwhile, surging energy demand is reinforcing the role of natural gas and LNG as the backbone of the global energy system, panellists at LNG2026 said
18 February 2026
Norwegian energy company has dropped a major hydrogen project and paused its CCS expansion plans as demand fails to materialise
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies






