Starting from April 12th, China has raised the tariff rate on U.S. imported goods to 125% in retaliation for "reciprocal tariffs". In an exclusive interview with Beijing Daily's mobile client reporter regarding "reciprocal tariffs", Martin Jacques, an 80-year-old renowned British scholar, stated that tariffs are a highly destructive means used by the United States to consolidate global hegemony. China's countermeasures not only demonstrate its firm stance but also support and protect other countries globally.
He pointed out that after Trump's return to office, Europe's perception of the United States has reached its lowest point since World War II, while Europe's attitude toward China is becoming more friendly and rational. Europe must begin independent thinking.
The U.S. Attempts to "Redraw the World Map"
Beijing Daily Client: In your view, why does the U.S. impose "reciprocal tariffs" comprehensively? China has already implemented strong countermeasures.
Martin Jacques: I believe that the U.S. motivation is essentially to "redraw the world map," especially redefining trade relations with the U.S., and doing so in a way extremely advantageous to the U.S. This is a means for the U.S. to consolidate power and achieve it through a highly destructive approach targeting the entire globe, not just China, but affecting the whole world. China will not give in, nor can it give in, otherwise it will encourage Trump to take even more extreme actions.
This is not what is called "reciprocal tariffs." Reciprocity implies mutual consultation between both parties, a mutually beneficial and negotiating relationship, but the current situation is far from being a negotiation scenario. What the U.S. calls "reciprocal tariffs" is actually fictitious data used to justify its absurd demands. The complete collapse of Sino-U.S. trade relations has now become a possibility.
But we must always remember that the U.S. attempts to readjust its trade relations with all countries at the expense of others and centered around its own interests.
"Reciprocal Tariffs" Could Be an Opportunity for China
Beijing Daily Client: Will "reciprocal tariffs" be an opportunity for China? Many comments suggest that China could unite more countries.
Martin Jacques: Every crisis contains opportunities. Of course, China will examine the current situation from multiple perspectives. The Chinese excel at thinking about issues from a holistic and long-term perspective, which Trump lacks. I think China will strive to deduce various possible outcomes and scenarios. Clearly, as China is a country with much greater trade volume than the U.S., many trade relationships are under threat. China will try to gain support from more countries. In a sense, this is an opportunity.
Of course, the most ideal situation for China would be for Trump to revoke these absurd tariffs, but this is unlikely to happen in the short term. What China can do is form consensus with as many countries as possible on tariff issues; many countries feel this approach is extremely unfair.
Take my country, the UK, as an example. Although facing only a 10% tariff from the U.S., it is still very worried. However, most countries, in such situations, first consider their own interests, then how to cooperate with other countries.
Beijing Daily Client: Although the EU has postponed retaliating against the U.S., it has expressed a tough stance. More specifically, can China cooperate with other forces like Europe or BRICS nations to achieve new developments?
Martin Jacques: This is absolutely possible and will become one of the key issues for China to consider. China places great importance on trade relations and will work to maintain and promote mutually beneficial and win-win relationships with other countries.
China may pay particular attention to its relations with Europe, especially the EU. Not only China but also Japan and South Korea in East Asia face high tariffs. This shows that Trump's tariff policy is undiscriminating in some ways, whether it's "traditional rivals" like China or traditional allies like Japan and South Korea, none have been spared.
China's Economy Can Withstand Tariff Impacts
Beijing Daily Client: The Chinese economy is facing numerous challenges; can it withstand the impact of U.S. tariffs?
Martin Jacques: I have no doubt that China's economy can withstand this impact, although there will be certain costs. If China suddenly lost all trade with the U.S., it would create a huge gap, causing serious problems for many Chinese enterprises.
But this is an emergency situation; what other choices does China have? Giving in is impossible. If China gives in under these circumstances, the U.S. will continue to repeat its tactics. China must show its strength, demonstrating not only willingness but also the ability to resist.
Beijing Daily Client: China has consistently advocated cooperation and win-win results with the U.S. Given the current situation, will there still be opportunities for a win-win outcome between China and the U.S. in the future?
Martin Jacques: It is clearly very difficult under the current circumstances. Because there is basically no dialogue between China and the U.S. We cannot underestimate the influence of those around Trump—they indeed want to destroy and terminate trade with China. Not long ago, I attended a debate in Washington where a key economist in Trump's camp said at the meeting, "Ideally, we should no longer trade with this country. Their values are completely different from ours."
But I don't think this represents the mainstream voice in the U.S.; this is just an extreme position that has gained some support. In fact, many people in American business elites and ordinary citizens hope to maintain good relations with China, but their voices do not dominate decision-making at present.
We must look at this issue from a long-term perspective. The U.S. will not disappear, nor will China. The two countries will eventually need to find a way to coexist peacefully. Since the 1970s, Sino-U.S. relations have experienced several friendly periods until deteriorating in 2016 when the U.S. viewed China as a threat. But even so, we should maintain insight and determination when dealing with short-term situations while looking ahead to possible new situations in the future.
Europe May Take a Different Path
Beijing Daily Client: The transatlantic partnership has been severely impacted by Trump. What role might Europe play between China and the U.S. next?
Martin Jacques: This is a question we often ask. Historically, Europe's relationship with the U.S. has been close for over two centuries, but today this relationship is clearly no longer as strong as it once was. Trump's attitude toward Europe is very intense, accusing Europe of exploiting the U.S. He dislikes the EU, believing that its establishment is aimed at weakening U.S. status.
From the public's perspective in Europe, Trump's rise has made people's views of the U.S. in almost every European country more negative than ever since World War II. If another survey were conducted now, the results might be even worse. The elite class of the EU has also changed their attitude toward China, becoming friendlier than before. They know that if they remain at odds with China while being attacked by the U.S., it will be very disadvantageous. China is a very important trading partner for Europe.
In a sense, Europe is currently in a state of transition. The old patterns of the post-war Atlantic alliance and the Western camp are now on the verge of collapse. Looking to the future, I believe the concept of "the West" is actually defunct.
This "West" was built on the foundation of the U.S.-EU relationship, which no longer exists as it once did. Europe must begin independent thinking—this has hardly happened since 1945. On key issues, Europe has always followed the leadership of the U.S. Now, Europe has the potential to take a different path, establish a different relationship, including with China. This possibility is real.
However, Europe is a very complex entity, unlike China or the U.S., which are unified nations. Europe is a union of nearly 30 countries, and action is always slow, making it difficult to fully unify and lacking the strategic capabilities, strategic strength, or strategic consistency of the U.S. or China. Nevertheless, Europe is indeed entering a completely new phase, which holds significant meaning for China.
Trump's Return Is an Attempt to Disrupt the Status Quo
Beijing Daily Client: China believes that the world is facing unprecedented changes in a century, and more and more international public opinion points out that the world is at a critical juncture unprecedented in history. How do you view the current global trends?
Martin Jacques: We can see two different development trends in the world today. One is a relatively optimistic and progressive trend, which is the rise of developing countries and the rise of the Global South. Now, the economic output of the Global South accounts for more than half of the world economy, and China is at the core of this process. This trend brings a new understanding and expectation of "what the world can do and should do," and also brings the possibility of global collective action within a more unified framework.
In this process, China can be considered a de facto leader. China is undergoing economic transformation, growing at a slower pace but still higher than most countries, especially Western countries. Its leading position on climate change issues is also an embodiment of this trend.
The other trend is completely opposite, represented by Trump. This trend aims to prevent the further growth of emerging global powers, attempting to disrupt and weaken them, severing their ties with China, and isolating China. We are indeed at the intersection of these two trends, without a doubt.
In my view, the progressive global camp is becoming stronger, more cohesive, and more united. America's influence on many key issues, particularly economic ones, is waning. Trump's return is essentially an attempt to disrupt the status quo, aiming to terminate or reverse this trend. He tries to completely break the current world order, not just interfere but fragment it entirely and destroy the progress achieved. In such a situation, we need to remain calm, rational, and also firm and strong.
China must not bow to U.S. blackmail at this moment. If China retreats, then other countries will also be at the mercy of the U.S. The strength China displays now is not only its firm stance but also support and protection for other countries worldwide.
Source: Beijing Daily Client
Reporter: Bai Bo
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7492403718214730277/
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