Origins of Tongs
Historical Background: Tongs originated in China as secret societies during the 17th century, particularly after the fall of the Ming dynasty. They were initially political organizations aiming to restore Ming rule but evolved into fraternal groups providing mutual aid and protection124.
Migration to America: Chinese immigrants brought the concept of tongs to the U.S. during the Gold Rush era (1850s). Early tongs in America served as protective associations for immigrants facing discrimination and harsh labor conditions13.
Development in the U.S.
Functions and Activities: Initially, tongs provided services such as legal aid, immigrant counseling, and community support. However, some tongs became involved in criminal activities like opium trade, gambling, prostitution, and extortion126.
Conflict Origins: Rivalries between tongs often stemmed from disputes over control of illegal enterprises, territorial dominance, and even human trafficking. The importation of women for forced prostitution was a major source of conflict24.
Tong Wars
Key Events: The Tong Wars erupted in Chinatowns across cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland, and New York. These conflicts involved hired enforcers (boo how doy or hatchetmen) who fought over turf and resources34.
Triggers: Disputes ranged from territorial control to personal grievances, such as unpaid debts or assassinations. Public challenges between rival factions often escalated into violent clashes45.
Impact of External Factors: Events like the 1906 San Francisco earthquake disrupted tong operations by destroying their revenue sources (e.g., brothels and opium dens), leading to a decline in their influence4.
Decline
By the 1920s, tong wars diminished as Chinese communities became less vulnerable to gang intimidation. Increased law enforcement and community efforts also contributed to their decline14.
The Tong Wars reflect a complex intersection of immigrant struggles, cultural adaptation, and organized crime within U.S. history.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/roots-of-usa-china-tong-wars-eKSjnm1fQ5GuEn469HyvPw
usa objective in tariff escalation against china is eventual trade exclusion on global market
The United States' tariff escalation against China under President Donald Trump appears to be aimed at reshaping global trade dynamics, with significant implications for China's role in the international market. While the immediate goal is to address trade imbalances and perceived unfair practices, the broader objective may involve reducing China's influence in global trade.
Key Objectives Behind U.S. Tariff Escalation:
Addressing Trade Imbalances: The Trump administration has repeatedly cited the U.S.-China trade deficit as a justification for imposing steep tariffs, aiming to pressure China into purchasing more American goods and reducing its trade surplus with the U.S..
Countering Unfair Practices: The U.S. accuses China of subsidizing industries, imposing discriminatory taxes on foreign businesses, and engaging in intellectual property theft. These tariffs are framed as a response to these practices, with the goal of leveling the playing field for American companies.
Weakening China's Economic Position: The cumulative tariffs, which now exceed 54%, have significantly impacted China's economy by reducing exports to the U.S., slowing GDP growth, and harming key industries like manufacturing and high-tech exports. This could limit China's ability to dominate global markets.
Global Trade Realignment: By imposing universal tariffs on imports from other countries as well, the U.S. is signaling a broader shift away from multilateral trade systems toward bilateral agreements that prioritize American interests. This strategy could isolate China and encourage other nations to align more closely with the U.S..
Impacts on China:
China's retaliatory tariffs (34% on U.S. goods) and export restrictions on rare earth materials highlight its efforts to counteract these measures but also underscore its economic vulnerability in this conflict.
Analysts predict a decline in Chinese exports to the U.S. by up to 80%, along with broader economic challenges like deflationary pressures and job losses.
Conclusion:
While the U.S. has not explicitly stated that its ultimate goal is China's exclusion from global markets, its aggressive tariff policies and rhetoric suggest an intention to diminish China's economic influence globally. This strategy risks long-term disruptions in global trade systems while escalating tensions between the two largest economies.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/usa-objective-in-tariff-escala-wx9tOSwjQ0.JtKYVqM_K6A
china-usa tariff escalation compared to tong wars
The escalating tariff conflict between the U.S. and China has drawn comparisons to historical conflicts marked by reciprocal aggression, such as the "Tong Wars" in Chinese-American history. While the Tong Wars were violent gang conflicts rooted in power struggles within Chinese immigrant communities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the current U.S.-China tariff escalation reflects an economic "war" characterized by tit-for-tat measures with significant global implications.
Key Developments in the U.S.-China Tariff Escalation
Recent Actions: China has imposed a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports, mirroring recent U.S. tariff increases under President Trump. This follows earlier Chinese tariffs of 10-15% on U.S. agricultural and energy goods in February and March 2025.
Broader Measures: Beyond tariffs, China has restricted exports of rare earth elements, banned dual-use goods to U.S. defense firms, and added American companies to its "unreliable entities" list.
U.S. Tariffs: The Trump administration recently raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 54%, more than doubling their levels at the start of his second term.
Comparison to Tong Wars
The analogy between the tariff escalation and Tong Wars lies in:
Retaliatory Dynamics: Both involve cycles of retaliatory actions, escalating tensions without clear resolution.
Power Struggles: The Tong Wars were about control within a community, while the trade war reflects a struggle for economic dominance between two global powers.
Collateral Damage: Just as innocent bystanders were often affected during Tong Wars, global markets and businesses are being disrupted by the trade conflict.
However, unlike the Tong Wars, which were localized and violent, the trade war operates on a geopolitical scale with economic tools rather than physical violence.
Outlook
Analysts suggest that a resolution is unlikely in the near term due to both sides' entrenched positions. The escalating measures risk further decoupling of the world's two largest economies, potentially leading to long-term global economic fragmentation.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/china-usa-tariff-escalation-co-c9DQewR.TYm8hrVeEy68sw
discuss the ongoing tariff escalation between the usa and china through an exclusion act-tong war lens
The ongoing tariff escalation between the United States and China can be analyzed through the lens of historical exclusionary policies and conflicts, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act and Tong Wars, which highlight patterns of economic and cultural antagonism.
Historical Context: Chinese Exclusion Act
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a landmark in U.S. policy that explicitly targeted Chinese immigrants, barring their entry and denying citizenship to those already present. It reflected widespread anti-Chinese sentiment fueled by economic competition and racial prejudice during a period of labor unrest. This act institutionalized exclusionary measures that prioritized domestic labor interests while marginalizing foreign contributions, particularly from China. The act's legacy demonstrates how economic competition can escalate into systemic exclusion and hostility.
Economic Conflict: Tariff Escalation
The current U.S.-China tariff war mirrors these historical dynamics of exclusion in economic terms. President Trump recently threatened an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing does not withdraw its retaliatory 34% tariffs, intensifying a tit-for-tat trade conflict. China's countermeasures include export restrictions on rare earth minerals, bans on dual-use goods, and the addition of U.S. firms to its "unreliable entity list," signaling a shift toward more aggressive retaliation.
Both nations are leveraging trade policies to assert dominance, with the U.S. aiming to reduce trade deficits and curb perceived abuses, while China defends its sovereignty and developmental interests. This escalation risks a prolonged economic decoupling between the world's largest economies.
Tong Wars Parallel: Cycles of Retaliation
The Tong Wars—a series of violent conflicts among Chinese immigrant groups in 19th-century America—offer another lens for understanding this escalation. These wars were marked by cycles of retaliation, driven by disputes over resources and territorial control. Similarly, the tariff war reflects a cycle of retaliatory measures where each side seeks to outmaneuver the other economically. The rhetoric from both governments—Trump’s accusations of “long-term trading abuses” and China’s denunciation of “unilateral intimidation”—echoes the factionalism seen in Tong Wars.
Conclusion
Viewed through these historical frameworks, the U.S.-China tariff escalation underscores recurring themes of exclusion, competition, and retaliation in bilateral relations. While modern economic tools replace physical violence or immigration bans, the underlying dynamics remain rooted in struggles for dominance and control over resources—a pattern that risks deepening divisions rather than fostering cooperation.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/discuss-the-ongoing-tariff-esc-HxpCRbGHSWatE7.g2cs2yg
Image: https://medium.com/@brothernumberthree/rise-and-fall-of-chinese-tongs-in-the-united-states-a8fc28997080
(X:) https://x.com/jameslangelle
