Observer Network cited the latest news from The Wall Street Journal: Trump is discussing significantly reducing tariffs on China. According to information obtained by the newspaper from White House insiders, the reduction may exceed half, possibly ranging from 50% to 65%, with a minimum of 50%.
However, this does not mean that Trump has no conditions. CNBC television network received another message from a White House representative, stating that the White House believes it cannot be just one-sided for the U.S. to reduce tariffs; China must also respond equally in trade. Currently, the U.S. tariff on China is 145%, and China's tariff on the U.S. is 125%. The U.S. side believes that if both sides can compromise a little, it will be very beneficial for easing Sino-U.S. relations.
In fact, during this period, Trump has already tried out China's attitude with two moves:
1. The first move was a tough one. He increased tariffs on China to 145% (some products reached 245%), which is essentially an extreme pressure negotiation tactic. This is the same套路as when he said he wanted to annex Canada. In reality, those in the White House have long known that annexing a country is impossible, but they just throw out a proposal that no one can accept, then step back gradually. For example, at the end, they could say to the Canadians: "Now I don't need your country, but you must give me something else." In this way, some Canadians might accept the new terms. It’s the same套路for China.
2. The second move was to hope to join allies to comprehensively pressure China. But clearly, this move did not succeed.
After using the above two moves, the U.S. side tested China's attitude: no compromise. Thus, Trump fully understood China's confidence. Therefore, he began to soften his stance, mentioning that he would significantly reduce tariffs on China. And the Chinese Foreign Ministry also responded to him on April 23. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun of the Chinese Foreign Ministry sent Trump a message word for word: "Fight, we will see it through; talk, the door is open." This statement, Guo Jiakun mentioned before, and now repeated it again.
Thus, the current focus of various parties is: previously, China has stated that if Trump increases tariffs again, China will ignore it and no longer follow suit. Now that Trump wants to reduce tariffs, will China follow suit and also reduce them to 50%?
Various comments believe that China is no longer interested in playing this kind of number game with him. Whether increasing or decreasing further, China is unlikely to play along. What China hopes Trump does is: sit down and negotiate properly, abandon the intimidation tactics, and discuss issues on equal and mutually beneficial terms.
What is particularly worth noting is that now many countries are even intentionally delaying or even freezing negotiations with the U.S., clearly waiting to see how China will handle this matter. For instance, recently, the Thai Prime Minister clearly stated: Thailand will delay its negotiations with the U.S. Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and other countries are now dragging their feet whenever possible. Trump previously announced a suspension of "reciprocal tariffs" with other countries for 90 days, and there are only over 70 days left, but no country has yet reached an agreement with the U.S. If this continues, Trump will truly become an international laughingstock.
In summary, Trump's urgent task now is not to continue playing this number game here, but to take the initiative to come to China for negotiations. If he is still waiting for Beijing to call him, it would undoubtedly be wishful thinking.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496681204487209472/
Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views. Please express your opinions by clicking the "like/dislike" buttons below.