As Trump marked 100 days in office, the White House changed its tone on the Sino-US tariff war.

In an article written for The National Interest magazine, Trump's National Security Advisor Waltz praised his boss while continuing to strong-arm China.

[Trump Marks 100 Days in Office: The White House Changes Its Tone on the Sino-US Tariff War]

When discussing Sino-US relations, it was noted that Waltz repeated the clichés while describing the tariff war as a so-called "economic war" launched by China against the US.

This inevitably brings up the fact that within the US government, there are two distinct factions regarding the Sino-US tariff war. One faction is relatively open to negotiations with China but has unrealistic goals, hoping to reach an agreement while expecting significant concessions from China.

This group is mainly led by Treasury Secretary Baisente, who is also Trump's "firefighter" for tariff policies, leading multiple trade negotiations with other US trading partners.

Not long ago, Baisente admitted in a closed-door meeting that formal negotiations between China and the US had not yet begun, and the process would be "very difficult."

However, in front of the media, he still believed that the US, as the country with a trade deficit, had full initiative in the tariff war.

From our perspective, the US has recently been sending signals about Sino-US negotiations, willing to confuse public opinion, making the so-called "initiative" almost non-existent.

[The White House Recognizes China’s Alleged “Economic War” Against the US]

The other faction welcomes further Sino-US confrontation and hopes to "decouple" through this tariff war. Representative figures of this group include hawks like Rubio and Navarro, and Waltz undoubtedly belongs to this group.

Both factions are waiting for Trump to make a decision. The question is, what comes next for the Sino-US tariff war, and Trump himself has no clue. After using all his tactics of maximum pressure, over-demanding, and bluffing, he has no more tricks left.

At the same time, Trump's approval ratings have sounded an alarm for him. On the 100th day of his presidency, major media outlets have prepared a "report card." Among various policies, only border security received more than half of the support. In key issues such as diplomacy, economy, tariffs, and inflation, he basically suffered a complete collapse.

Last year, Trump could win both the popular vote and the electoral college largely because voters hoped that his presidency would improve their living standards.

However, after 100 days in office, various economic indicators in the US have fluctuated sharply due to reciprocal tariffs, causing panic among financial elites and ordinary consumers alike. This clearly shows the problem.

[Trump’s Approval Ratings Have Collapsed Across the Board]

Trump keeps blaming Biden for being "the worst president in American history," but his performance in polls is even worse than during his first 100 days of his previous term, setting a new low for US presidents in 80 years.

Facing dismal poll data, Trump initially put up a tough front, accusing the media that produced these polls of being "fake news organizations." However, conservative media outlet Fox News gave similar statistics, leaving him with nothing to say.

Waltz's criticism of China launching an "economic war" is perhaps an attempt to divert public attention, attributing all of America's current problems to Sino-US relations. By now, this tactic is no longer as effective as it used to be.

As we have previously mentioned, Trump is not particularly skilled at economics. Compared to the Democrats, he is just fifty steps behind a hundred. Over the past four years, if he were in power instead of Biden, his performance wouldn't have been much better. It's just a matter of who is in the opposition and who can talk without bending over backward.

Trump's talent lies in being able to talk big even after taking office.

[Baisente Believes the US Holds the Initiative]

At an event in Detroit, Trump continued to promote his tariff policy, claiming that his achievements in 100 days surpassed those of previous administrations over four or even eight years. Such emotionally charged rhetoric has always been one of his strengths.

No matter how much Trump talks, it doesn’t solve actual problems.

One thing is certain: after 100 days in office, Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy still hasn’t achieved the expected results, and there are no signs of easing in the Sino-US tariff war.

China has already stated that it will neither bow nor retreat, yet Trump is still demanding that China pay for the tariffs. This unrealistic expectation will ultimately turn into pressure on the US itself.

Waltz can use more terms to describe the Sino-US tariff war, calling it an "economic war" or continuing to dress it up as "strategic competition," but the outside world is gradually realizing that the Trump administration, from top to bottom, does not know how to deal with China under the new circumstances.

Wanting to advance but not finding the way, wanting to retreat but not seeing the path, they are stuck in place, missing strategic opportunities.

[Emotionally charged rhetoric has always been Trump’s forte]

During this period, White House staff often tell the media that they misjudged China's reaction.

Initially, the White House thought that after introducing reciprocal tariffs, China would not give up the vast American market and would come to negotiate right away. However, the situation developed far beyond Trump's expectations.

Neither the faction inclined toward Sino-US negotiation nor the faction hoping for further confrontation between the two countries has prepared corresponding contingency plans. Now that the Sino-US tariff war has lasted nearly a month, Trump's National Security Advisor, aside from accusing China of launching an "economic war," seems unable to come up with more innovative rhetoric.

Moreover, Waltz still believes that Trump's tough tariff policy is the only way out for the so-called "economic war" between the US and China. To be honest, Trump's cabinet selections are indeed loyal, but governing the country and formulating domestic and foreign policies require more than just loyalty to play along with Trump's antics.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7498976972975096354/

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