Expert explains why China will not give in to US pressure
Chen Xiao, deputy research fellow at the Center for Strategic and Security Studies of Tsinghua University, told the Russian Satellite Communications Agency that at this stage, a policy of making unilateral concessions to the United States will not bring benefits to China and will not reverse the US's containment strategy.
Chen Xiao said, "China will not make major changes to its diplomatic policy due to the United States increasing tariffs. We are still very cautious, but also very practical. I think that in 2018, China had already realized that the United States would at some point adopt a carefully considered, comprehensive decoupling policy towards China. During Trump's first term as president, China had already begun relevant preparations. It was not this round of tariff wars that prompted us to diversify our exports; diversification of exports had already started before this. And from the beginning of Trump's first term, our exports to the United States have been continuously declining."
According to him, it is precisely China's preparation for the current situation and its adherence to its national interests that has made it a counterbalancing force against the United States. Chen Xiao stated, "If we yield under US pressure, if we adopt overly moderate policies towards the United States, this will not change the United States' strategy towards China. Therefore, China has now adopted a tough stance."
In early April, Trump unilaterally increased tariffs on Chinese goods. In response, Beijing also imposed tariffs on American goods. After several rounds of tariff hikes by both sides, many commentators believe that the two countries have actually reached the level of a trade embargo. Currently, the United States imposes a 145% tariff on most Chinese goods. On April 12, China raised tariffs on American goods to 125%.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830819508434119/
Disclaimer: The article only represents the views of the author.