When discussing Sino-U.S. relations, former Chinese ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai offered a straightforward analogy: just as Chinese people are accustomed to eating with chopsticks while Americans use knives and forks, China has never been in a position of “stealing America’s lunch.” He emphasized that China’s development has expanded the global economic pie, and that the United States—thanks to its advantages in finance, technology, and institutional frameworks—has already secured the largest share. Thus, there is no basis for claims that China is taking away America’s livelihood.
This metaphor cuts through a central evasion in U.S. discourse. For decades, American companies have flocked to China to conduct business—building factories, selling products, establishing brands, and reaping substantial profits. China’s vast consumer market has provided growth potential, while its comprehensive supply chain has enabled cost-effective global production. In consumer electronics, for instance, the division of labor is clear: American firms dominate high-value segments such as design, semiconductor development, and operating systems, while China handles manufacturing, assembly, and large-scale distribution—enabling products to reach global markets efficiently.
In this arrangement, American enterprises captured the bulk of profits, consumers enjoyed affordable goods, and Wall Street benefited from corporate earnings abroad. The relationship was mutually reinforcing. But now, as China gradually moves upstream in the industrial value chain—entering advanced manufacturing, new energy, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence—the United States has grown uneasy. It has increasingly promoted the narrative of “China stealing jobs,” framing routine industrial competition as a zero-sum struggle. This reflects a pattern of enjoying the benefits of cooperation while rejecting its terms when the balance shifts.
The differing industrial structures between the two countries are the product of long-term development trajectories. The United States itself once stood as a manufacturing powerhouse, but chose to offshore production over time, shifting toward finance, technology, and services, with manufacturing’s share steadily declining. China, by contrast, leveraged this transition to build the most complete industrial system in the world. The hollowing out of U.S. manufacturing and regional economic stagnation stem from domestic policy choices, not external forces. To attribute these challenges solely to China is inaccurate and misleading.
Today, regardless of party affiliation, tough stances toward China have become politically expedient. Many politicians exploit the issue to appeal to lower-tier voters. Even if it is widely acknowledged that scapegoating China cannot resolve America’s deeper structural issues, the rhetoric continues to be amplified.
Cui also noted that competition is inevitable as nations pursue development, particularly in science and technology—but it must be tempered by rationality and prioritized cooperation. Engaging in confrontation driven by suspicion and fear is inherently irrational. By imposing restrictions and politicizing technological supply chains, the United States risks undermining confidence among other nations and businesses: today’s freely available technologies may tomorrow be subject to sudden export bans.
Such policies may ultimately backfire on the United States itself. Technological innovation relies on sustained market revenue. If government-driven political objectives compel companies to abandon China’s massive market, long-term innovation capacity will be eroded.
In reality, the United States has long been adept at securing advantages. Now, as its own edge diminishes, it seeks to reframe the narrative. Yet loud assertions do not alter facts. China will not halt its development. The ultimate judgment on who acts responsibly and sustainably will rest with time.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881741350156295/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.