By Sanxuan

China has pressed the button on controlling rare earth exports, which has already caused panic in the US. Now, the US is shocked to find out that, in addition to rare earths, China has another "nuclear option".

China's hand is not just rare earths

Recently, an American media outlet reported that medicine is actually China's biggest leverage in trade negotiations with the US, and if China uses this "nuclear option", the US may have to yield.

The article pointed out that China holds a dominant position in the global supply chain of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), which are the core components of common medicines. Moreover, in the upstream of the pharmaceutical supply chain, such as reagents and raw materials, the US cannot escape its reliance on China.

Another report shows that nearly 700 types of medicines in the US market have at least one key component provided by China. Take the most common antibiotic amoxicillin as an example; the four most critical materials are almost monopolized by China.

The report concluded that the medicines the US relies most on China for are low-cost common medicines, which account for nine-tenths of the US prescription drugs. In other words, if China imposes export controls on drug components, Americans will be unable to purchase 90% of common medicines.

China's pharmaceutical industry is also strong

Besides the US, major economies around the world rely heavily on China's pharmaceutical supply chain, including the EU, Japan, and India.

India is well known for its generic drugs, but it still can't do without China's API. It has even tried to establish a local supply chain, and the Modi government once introduced related incentive programs. However, after five years, there has been little progress so far.

Indian pharmaceutical companies point out that establishing a supply chain is a long process and cannot be achieved overnight. This process requires strong financial support and perseverance, but both are lacking in India.

Without a stable supply chain, prices cannot be reduced. After going through all this, Indian pharmaceutical companies found that buying from China is more cost-effective. The price of medicines imported from China is only half of that of locally produced ones. Indian businessmen are naturally inclined to save money and would not buy expensive locally produced medicines.

China does not use people's lives as a pawn

The US media report has raised concerns among American politicians. Some officials worry that although China hasn't used the "nuclear option" of pharmaceutical raw materials yet, if Trump continues to press hard, things could get unpredictable. If China weaponizes medicines, the US will be at the mercy of others.

But the fact is that China has never held other countries hostage in the pharmaceutical field. On the contrary, the US government announced early on that it would impose high tariffs on medical equipment and patented medicines imported from China, claiming it wants to bring the pharmaceutical supply chain back, "making American pharmaceuticals great again."

Unlike rare earths, medicines relate to human life. As Chinese experts said, China will not weaponize medicines to force the US to surrender in the trade war. Human lives are not pawns that can be traded or negotiated. China strongly opposes linking humanitarian issues with geopolitical strategies.

Thinking small-mindedly about the virtuous

A little-known fact is that even in the rare earth export control measures, China has exempted rare earth materials involved in the production of medical equipment.

Western countries have always liked to think small-mindedly about the virtuous. They can use any means for their own interests, sacrificing the lives of other countries or even their own citizens. China, however, has always adhered to moral principles, and the community with a shared future for humanity is our pursuit.

Certainly, China is willing to make every effort to contribute to human peace, but this does not mean that the West can use this as an excuse to coerce China. We don't use the "nuclear option," not because we can't, but because we don't want to. Please take note.



Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7565068802552070692/

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