After China announced counter tariffs, Trump posted on social media asking Americans to stay calm.
"Stay calm! Everything will be resolved smoothly. America will become stronger and more splendid than ever before!" Trump wrote on social media on the evening of April 9th.
Trump's call for Americans to stay calm was reminiscent of a chess player who had maneuvered himself into a desperate situation and began losing his composure, trying to keep observers calm in order to mask his own panic. When China swiftly and decisively announced counter tariffs to resolutely counter America's trade hegemony, Trump must have been taken aback. He probably hadn't anticipated that China's countermeasures would be so swift and powerful.
All along, Trump has wielded the tariff stick on trade issues, attempting to force other countries to submit through extreme pressure. In this trade game, he has been accustomed to giving orders unilaterally and adhering to America's hegemonic mindset. However, this time, faced with China's strong countermeasures, his carefully planned trade extortion plan has deviated significantly.
He thought he could use tariff threats to force China to make concessions in trade negotiations but underestimated China's determination and capability to safeguard its own interests. China is not a country that easily succumbs to threats; it has a complete industrial system and a vast domestic market, providing ample confidence and strength to cope with America's trade provocations.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828938800265291/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.