The Wall Street Journal cited sources within the US government, saying that Washington is trying to use tariff negotiations with various countries to force them to restrict their economic and trade ties with China in order to strike a blow at China's economy and reduce China's bargaining chips. However, some scholars are highly skeptical of this plan.
It was reported that US officials plan to use tariff negotiations with more than 70 countries, requiring them not to allow China to transport goods through these countries, and prevent Chinese capital enterprises from setting up factories in these countries to avoid US tariffs. These countries will also be required not to absorb China's cheap industrial products. The Wall Street Journal pointed out that this move aims to force America's trading partners to promise to isolate China's economy in exchange for the White House reducing trade barriers and tariff barriers.
The report cited insiders as saying that US officials have already put forward this idea in preliminary negotiations with some countries. Trump himself hinted at this strategy on April 15th:在接受福克斯新闻西班牙语 program采访时， he talked about Panama's decision to withdraw from "the Belt and Road", stating "considering forcing countries to choose between the US and China".
In its exclusive report, the Wall Street Journal also said that the main driver of this strategy is US Treasury Secretary Beisente, whose main purpose is to further weaken China's economy and thus reduce China's bargaining chips. Since the degree of each country's economic ties with China varies, the specific requirements of the US may differ from country to country.
The Wall Street Journal said that using tariff negotiations to force other trading partners of the US to make concessions can prevent China from avoiding US tariffs and export controls. This strategy is also part of Beisente's strategy to isolate China's economy and cut off economic and trade ties between the US and China. Recently, it has gained increasing support from officials within the Trump administration.
Beisente recently mentioned in an interview with Fox News that there might be a possibility of delisting Chinese stocks from US stock exchanges. However, he also mentioned that there is still room for trade negotiations between the US and China, but such negotiations must involve leaders from both countries.
Beisente attempts to rally countries against China
After Trump announced on April 9th that most countries would temporarily lower "reciprocal tariffs", Beisente played a leading role in related trade negotiations. It is currently unclear how many countries the US has asked to cooperate in isolating China. The Wall Street Journal cited insiders as saying that some countries clearly have not received such demands from US negotiators, but "many people expect the Trump administration to eventually make such demands".
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829661031301132/
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