The US Treasury Secretary has sent us another message! After we stated that if the US continues to escalate the trade war, we will definitely see it through, the US Treasury Secretary sent us a message. On April 8th, the US Treasury Secretary claimed that this is a huge "mistake" - China's escalation, because they are playing a losing hand: China raises tariffs on us, what do we lose? Our exports to them account for only one-fifth of their exports to us, so this is a losing hand for them.
Besentes claimed that the Trump administration's imposition of "reciprocal tariffs" aims to bring trading partners to the negotiating table and bring jobs back to the United States. They come to the negotiation table with reliable suggestions, and I believe we will eventually reach some good agreements. Clearly, after our serious statement, from the US's response, the main points of the US's meaning are two. The first is that we should not escalate, as the US believes we have no cards to play.
The second is that the US Treasury Secretary's statement actually opens the door for negotiations, but only with favorable terms. Comprehensive consideration of the US's various statements shows that the US clearly hopes we will quickly sit at the negotiating table. In fact, just the other day, Trump said that if China does not withdraw the additional 34% tariffs imposed outside the long-term trade "aggression" before April 8th, the US will impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods starting April 9th. He also claimed that all dialogues regarding requests from China to meet with us will be terminated.
Now, the move to revoke counter-retaliatory tariffs is certainly out of the question. Trump's claim that "dialogues will be terminated" still echoes in our ears, yet the US Treasury Secretary comes out saying that they come to the negotiation table with reliable suggestions, and I believe we will eventually reach some good agreements. This indicates what? It indicates that the US is anxiously waiting for us to start talks soon. However, our position is very clear: pressure and threats are not the right way to deal with China.
Therefore, the US forcing us to the negotiation table is out of the question. The US claims that China's escalation is a huge "mistake," which is undoubtedly absurd. The trade war was unilaterally initiated by the US, and now it is the US that wants to escalate; our countermeasures are reasonable and justified. The US has expressed dissatisfaction with our countermeasures several times, indicating that our countermeasures have caused pain to the US. Clearly, at this point, we need to see who can endure longer.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828853035948171/
Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author alone.