Al-Shabaab remains capable of carrying out massive attacks in Somalia and nearby countries despite a long-running African Union offensive against the Islamist terrorist group.

Tariffs have been applied over the years to protect homegrown industries and target competitors who are seen as using unfair trade practices. They impose costs on both importers and exporters and had been in decline until the recent U.S.-China trade war.

The Muslim separatist group, based in the Xinjiang province in northwest China, presents a heightening security challenge for Beijing.

While congressional action lags, a series of year-end fiscal measures could derail the U.S. recovery.