US–China trade war and key digital technology innovation of Chinese enterprises

We empirically examine the impact of the US–China trade war (trade war) on Chinese firms' key digital technological innovation (KDI) using the difference-in-difference (DID) method, considering trade war as a quasi-natural experiment. Our findings suggest that the trade war promotes Chinese firms to apply for more key digital technology patents (KDPs). Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the promotion is stronger in firms of lower leverage and high-tech industries. Additional analysis indicates that KDI helps mitigate the adverse impact of trade war on Chinese firms' market performance.