This study investigates the short-term effects of U.S. tariff threats on Chinese exports during the 2018~2020 trade conflict. Using USTR documents and Chinese customs data in a DID model, we find:(1) Tariff threats alone boosted China’s U.S.-bound exports by 5.1% short-term, with price-driven surges for threatened products and quantity-driven growth for non-threatened ones.(2) Repeated threats amplified export elasticity through incremental and latent cumulative effects.(3) Products with rigid U.S. demand, limited alternative markets, or non-intermediate goods showed stronger price sensitivity.Results clarify the micro-mechanisms of fight-to-talk strategies and inform anti-tariff policies.