[Text/Observer Network, Xiong Chaoyi] US President Trump threw out the so-called "reciprocal tariffs", causing great chaos in the global trade order. Some people have compared this tariff war to the "staring game" (also known as the "chicken game"), where whoever blinks first is considered the loser. For example, Bloomberg asked: who will blink first between China and the US?

On April 17 local time, after signing an executive order related to relaxing regulations on the seafood industry, Trump briefly talked with the media reporters at the White House. During the exchange, he was asked about the so-called "negotiations with China".

"I think we will reach an agreement with China, and we will reach agreements with everyone. If we don't reach an agreement, then we will set a target and just settle for that. That's fine too," Trump said. Although some people urged him to speed up the negotiation process, he believed there was still "plenty" of time to reach an agreement with China and expected positive results. "I think the entire negotiation may be completed in the next three to four weeks."

In the face of the US imposing tariffs indiscriminately, China has repeatedly made it clear: negotiate, the door is open; fight, we are ready.

On April 18 local time, Fox News noticed that when Trump answered questions, he added that "China has contacted us multiple times," and he also claimed that "the frequency of contact between China and the US is very high."

As for what would happen if no agreement were reached, Trump confidently declared, "Things will work out well anyway."

"In a way, if we cannot reach an agreement, we will set a limit. We will impose tariffs, make some rules, and then say, 'Come shop.' They always have the right not to do so, so they can say, 'We don't want it, so we won't go shopping there, won't patronize this American store,' but we have something others don't, which is American consumers." He said this.

On April 17, US President Trump at the Oval Office of the White House. ABC

Fox News pointed out that Trump made these remarks at a time when other media reported that Trump had reportedly claimed unwillingness to take the initiative to contact China in the ongoing trade war.

In early February this year, less than two weeks after returning to the White House, Trump manipulated the fentanyl issue and announced a 10% tariff on goods imported from China. Since then, while continuously threatening with the "tariff stick", he also repeatedly claimed unilaterally that he would "talk with China soon."

On April 16 local time, CNBC cited a statement made by an American business executive last week. "We called the White House to ask about the progress of the call," the executive, who wished to remain anonymous, said. The White House side responded that "China did not call." The executive further said: "From the beginning, it was obvious that this administration overestimated the constraining power tariffs gave them over China."

Currently, under continuous countermeasures from China, Trump's stance has actually changed.

On April 17 local time, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office of the White House that he didn't want to continue increasing tariffs on China, because it might cause a deadlock in bilateral trade.

Bloomberg and other media reported on the same day that when asked how the US would respond to further countermeasures from China, Trump hinted to reporters that he might be willing to reduce tariffs. "At some point, I don't want to raise tariffs anymore, because at a certain level, people won't buy goods."

Trump then said: "So I might not want to raise tariffs anymore, or even reach the current level. I might want to lower tariffs, because you want people to buy goods."

Trump waiting in the Oval Office of the White House for a phone call. CNN archive photo

CNBC previously pointed out that although China has stated that it will "no longer pay attention to the US tariff number game," indicating that it will no longer focus on imposing tariffs on US goods, some signs suggest that a series of non-tariff restriction measures are becoming options for countermeasures against the US. Previously, China expanded its export control of rare earth minerals and listed several American companies on the Unreliable Entity List and as subjects of anti-monopoly investigations. The latest reports on Boeing continue to unsettle the US side.

The report cited general expectations from analysts that China's subsequent non-tariff policy tools remain strong. Senior Economist Jianwei Xu of Natixis Greater China believes: "Ultimately, only when a country has suffered enough self-inflicted harm will it consider softening its stance and truly return to the negotiating table."

Bloomberg published an article on April 14 local time, stating that so far, China's response has not only been a countermeasure in terms of tariffs but also firm and principled in issues related to negotiations, without being led by the US.

On April 15 local time, The Financial Times quoted Julian Evans-Pritchard, chief China economist at Capital Economics, who added: "Judging from market reactions alone, I think the US is feeling stronger pain right now... The US is under greater pressure to sit at the negotiating table."

On April 16, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference. NHK reporter asked about the US tariff issue. The White House press secretary cited US President Trump as saying that "the ball is on China's side" and "China needs to reach an agreement with the US, but the US does not need to reach an agreement with China." What is China's response?

"This tariff war was initiated by the US side. China takes necessary countermeasures to protect its legitimate rights and interests and uphold international fairness and justice, which is entirely reasonable and legal," Lin Jian said.

Lin Jian emphasized that China's position has always been clear: there is no winner in a tariff war or a trade war. China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight. If the US really wants to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop the tactic of maximum pressure, stop threats and blackmail, and engage in dialogue with China on an equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial basis.

This article is an exclusive contribution from Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494675846200967691/

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