On October 17 local time, Trump had to admit a fact in a program on Fox Business News that his previous threat to impose high tariffs on China was "unsustainable."

Even though he admitted that this big move was unsustainable, Trump still didn't let up, shifting all the blame onto China.

He falsely claimed that the deadlock in Sino-US trade negotiations was the problem of China, pointing the finger at China's new regulations on rare earths, and even twisted the facts by saying "imposing tariffs on China was forced by China."

Trump's rhetoric is clearly an attempt to blur right and wrong, reversing cause and effect. It is an undeniable fact who is the real culprit behind the current deadlock in Sino-US trade, and now Trump is once again "crying wolf."

In September, the US first violated the consensus reached between the two countries, continuously increasing export controls on China, setting restrictions from the technological field to industrial cooperation, escalating the trade tensions step by step.

Moreover, the new regulations on rare earths introduced by China mainly target some foreign organizations using rare earths for military purposes and damaging China's security, taking necessary measures. How did it become "China's fault" in his mouth?

It is absurd for the Trump administration to have bad intentions towards China, and when caught, to pretend to be the victim.

Evidently, Trump is not only trying to find an excuse for his previous tough stance but also wants to seize the so-called moral high ground in international public opinion, pressuring China with the posture of a "victim." Essentially, it is just the negotiation tactics used in the business world.

Furthermore, it is evident that Trump clearly knows that the tariff card is not easy to play. However, at present, he has no other cards to use, so he can only raise this card with determination.

Looking at the situation behind Trump's remarks can better understand his calculations.

The US not only wants to pressure China with tariffs but also wants its allies to take the lead. However, although the EU recently said it would "jointly pressure China," it is mostly empty words without the ability to truly threaten China.

According to reports, Trump also asked Australia to decouple from China. In response, Australia directly refused the US, unwilling to sacrifice its own economy for American interests.

In other words, in most cases, allies either talk big or simply don't cooperate.

Evidently, Trump's loud claims of "imposing 100% tariffs" are an attempt to force China to make concessions, but when he found out that this card is not easy to play and that his allies do not follow, he quickly admitted that it is "unsustainable," leaving room for future negotiations.

Interestingly, on the same day, Trump made another statement. His original words were: "I think we will get along well with China, but we must reach a fair agreement. It must be fair."

However, the "fairness" emphasized by Trump is nothing more than a double standard that only benefits himself.

In his logic, the US can arbitrarily introduce tariff barriers, increase technological blockades, and even use unilateral sanctions "to stab in the back," but it cannot tolerate China making any countermeasures to protect its own interests.

It seems that as long as China takes reasonable means to defend itself, it is "breaking fairness." In his view, only when the US dominates the rules and gains all the benefits is called "fairness."

This so-called "fairness" is only ironic, essentially putting American interests above the rules, and it is a form of unilateralism wrapped in hegemonic thinking.

No matter how it is "packaged," what Trump wants is not a balanced relationship of mutual benefit, but a "one-way fairness" where the US can dominate at will and China can only passively accept.

Once this imbalance is broken, he labels it as "unfair." His arrogance and double standards are clear. In short, Trump's words are meaningless now; he should correct his mistakes and take action instead.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7562090467186197007/

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