The Sino-US trade war, who can hold out longer? "Once there is a shortage of goods or prices soar, the US government will not be able to withstand strong protests and backlash; the Chinese authorities can withstand public opinion pressure and have an advantage in protracted warfare. The longer the trade war lasts, the greater the public sentiment will rise. If the American sky falls, the Chinese sky cannot fall." Taiwanese media criticized Trump for rashly starting a war out of anger.
Taiwanese media pointed out that Trump launched a trade war against more than 80 countries and regions around the world, which is no trivial matter. However, he made a sudden change at the last minute, postponing the implementation of reciprocal tariffs for other countries or regions by 90 days except for further increasing tariffs on China. Such flip-flopping in major decision-making violates military strategy taboos. As Sun Tzu said in "The Art of War": "A ruler should not mobilize troops out of anger, nor should a general engage in battle out of resentment; act only when it is advantageous, and stop when it is not."
Why does Beijing show no weakness and see it through despite Trump's tough moves? Taiwanese media comments pointed out that voices of doubt are rampant, and both sides now have no way out. Trump keeps advancing, and neither economically nor politically does Beijing have room to yield. It has to do everything possible to implement retaliatory tariffs and blacklist American companies, impose export controls on specific goods, and so on. "Not fighting back will inevitably lead to being underestimated, and it will indeed lead to decline."
The article pointed out that if the Sino-US trade war were to fully break out, its spillover effects would impact the entire world with very negative consequences. The longer it lasts, the greater the damage it will cause to both countries and the world.
Trump's grandiose launch of a trade war against China means losing if he doesn't win, and the possibility of losing is not small because his resilience is inferior to China's. Shortages of goods and soaring prices are inevitable, and the consequences of China selling off US Treasury bonds are worrying, as they will weaken the credibility of the US government and the dominance of the US dollar. Besides economic and trade disruptions and damages, America's reputation globally will also decline. "Rashly initiating a war lacks systematic strategic thinking and is too impulsive; who still believes Trump and his administration?"
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829119394184201/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal views.