By Sanxuan

Over the past few days, the Sino-US trade war has been full of twists and turns, with many exciting developments. From the perspective of the US and Western countries, China's series of major measures are unprecedented, as it is the first time a country has dared to implement "long-arm jurisdiction" against the United States. Since the end of World War II, long-arm jurisdiction has been considered a privilege of Western countries, which is also the basis for Trump's use of tariff sticks against the world. However, from the current situation, Trump and his team have made serious strategic miscalculations.

Trump: Why didn't you answer my call

American side requests a call

American Trade Representative Jamison-Greer revealed some details about this round of Sino-US confrontation, saying that last week, China announced an expansion of export control measures without prior notice to the US, and they learned about it through public channels, just like the rest of the global netizens. Then, they immediately contacted China to request a call, but when the White House called Beijing, they were told to call back later, i.e., read but no reply.

Greer said that this was China's attempt to dominate the Sino-US trade negotiations in a "power struggle." This view is undoubtedly correct, but unfortunately, Trump's makeshift team woke up too late. Everyone should remember that when Trump initiated the tariff war in April, his advisors told him that China needed the US market and would surely yield first, making it easier for them to negotiate with the remaining countries on the Sino-US trade agreement.

Trump was misled by his advisors

As an unsuccessful businessman, Trump believed the so-called "economic experts" and swung a few punches at China, waiting in the White House for a call from China. During this time, he hinted more than once that if China contacted him first, everything could be discussed. However, after waiting for several days, Trump found that instead of China yielding, there was a countermeasure. At that time, US media exclaimed that China's response exceeded the expectations of Trump's team.

China has read but not replied

Subsequently, the three rounds of Sino-US economic and trade consultations only reached an agreement to temporarily suspend tariffs on equal terms. The current situation is not much different from half a year ago. It is ridiculous that Trump still implies China to buy more American agricultural products to help his voters with their "urgent needs." Trump did not realize that China is not as his people said, where the economy would collapse if it disconnected from the US. Our economic development is not dependent on the charity of the West, but on our own step-by-step efforts.

Even more pitifully, Trump's team not only grossly underestimated China, but also overestimated themselves greatly. Taking the rare earth export control as an example, when facing China's countermeasures, the US government could not come up with any solution. It is worth noting that the problem of the US rare earth supply chain had been identified as a priority during Obama's administration. After ten years, has the relevant industry in the US developed? The answer is obviously no.

US lacks the ability to produce rare earths domestically

Trump's pressure on China is entirely based on the assumption that China will comply when the US issues orders. There was no prior investigation, no mid-term evaluation, and no contingency plan. After being hit by China's counterattack, Trump always starts with anger, makes harsh statements, then retreats and says that good relations with China will solve the issue. This high predictability is also the key to our precise handling of Trump.

Trump's delusion

Still, Trump claims to want to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods to retaliate against China's rare earth control. If this strategy worked, the US would have already won six months ago. Regarding this issue, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the US should reflect on itself rather than threatening with high tariffs. This is not the right way to deal with China. You see, even now, we are still patiently teaching Trump how to behave.

Lin Jian, Spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry

Of course, looking at Trump's performance after starting his second term, whether he can understand what we say is still a big question mark. However, for us, we have already said what needs to be said, and we are also doing what needs to be done. If the US continues to be stubborn and goes ahead blindly, we can fight all the way until one side raises the white flag first.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560641189381227071/

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