Trouble's deadline for reciprocal tariffs is approaching, and the People's Daily rings the bell, warning the US side not to go back on its word.

(The People's Daily rings the bell, warning Trump)

On July 8, the People's Daily published a "Bell Ringing" article summarizing the recent China-US trade war, mentioning two key points.

Firstly, looking at the process of interaction between both sides in this round of Sino-US trade disputes, one conclusion is very clear: resolving trade disputes, dialogue and cooperation are the right path, while extortion and coercion have no way out.

The London framework has been hard-won, and the US side should further correct its wrong practices and move towards China.

Secondly, as the deadline for the so-called reciprocal tariffs by the US approaches, concerns about new trade friction have increased. China firmly opposes any party sacrificing Chinese interests to obtain so-called tariff reductions.

It is these two points that foreign media have interpreted as China's warning to Trump before the deadline for his reciprocal tariffs, advising him not to resume imposing tariffs on Chinese goods next month, which could trigger trade tensions again; and threatening countries that have reached trade agreements with the US not to harm China's interests.

(Trump names multiple countries, threatening to impose reciprocal tariffs from August 1st)

On the previous day, Trump issued a statement claiming he had informed leaders of multiple countries that he would impose new tariff rates on these countries starting from August 1st, with Japan and South Korea being the first targets, threatened with 25% tariffs;

Then came Malaysia, Tunisia, Kazakhstan, and others, as well as South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, Laos, etc.

In the countries addressed by Trump, some had not yet reached a trade agreement with them, such as Japan and South Korea, while others had never even discussed with them, such as Malaysia, Laos, etc.

Although China's name was not mentioned in the list of countries named by Trump, it is obvious that pressuring these countries may lead to two possible outcomes.

Firstly, it may once again trigger a new round of tariff disputes, if these countries do not reach an agreement with the US before August 1st, a new round of trade friction is inevitable.

Secondly, these countries may have to agree to some conditions imposed by the US in order to quickly reach a trade agreement, which may harm China's interests.

Trump did not start imposing tariffs on these countries from July 9th, which is giving them a "last chance" to reach a trade agreement with the US within the remaining three weeks.

(Trump focuses on Japan this time)

Therefore, we immediately sounded the bell to warn the US side and the negotiating parties after Trump spoke, hoping to prevent the above two situations from happening.

Although Trump did not mention China, if a new round of trade friction occurs, our interests will also be harmed, since we are the world's largest manufacturing and industrial country.

At the same time, if the US really manages to pressure these countries, they might feel they are capable again, and then turn around and threaten China with tariffs.

Previously, the US kept approaching China for negotiations, all under the background where they had almost not reached any trade agreement. If the US gains more trade agreements this time, they might take it as capital for negotiations with China.

Therefore, we have every reason to warn them before the Trump administration comes up with such an idea, not to go back on their word, as the achievements of the London talks are hard-won. If the US again breaks its promise and destroys the negotiation achievements between the two sides, the next negotiation will be even more difficult.

As for the countries that damage China's national interests in order to reach a trade agreement with the US, there's no need to say anything more.

Since Trump initiated the global tariff war, we clearly know which countries have sacrificed China's interests to reach an agreement with the US. In recent months, China has retaliated against several countries, such as India and the EU.

(India once used Chinese steel products as a token of submission to reach an agreement with the US)

Therefore, China's warning is not just empty words. The pressure Trump is exerting on these countries should not be shifted onto China.

The People's Daily's "Bell Ringing" article says: Only by firmly defending principles can one truly protect one's own legitimate rights and interests. If the principle line is breached, extortion will only intensify.

The People's Daily's "Bell Ringing" article is obviously not just a warning to the US and the negotiating parties, but also a direction for these countries, indicating how to safeguard their own interests when facing American tariff extortion.

There are no winners in a trade war, and bullying and coercion will eventually come back to haunt themselves. Facing the US government's tariff stick, countries must adhere to principles and work together to avoid being defeated one by one.

The People's Daily's bell ringing is not only a warning to the US, but also an appeal to the international community: Compromise cannot buy respect, only by firmly defending the multilateral trading system can one resist the impact of unilateralism.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524626994017960494/

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