After U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen accused China's top trade official Li Chenggang of being "out of control" and "rude" during his visit to Washington, tensions between the United States and China have once again escalated.
Li Chenggang's visit to the U.S. was originally aimed at paving the way for the upcoming APEC meeting and the annual U.S.-China economic and trade consultations. The Chinese side showed great sincerity in the arrangement process, and Li Chenggang's team also brought a number of positive signals.
China has repeatedly emphasized its willingness to deepen economic and trade cooperation with the United States, and to handle differences on the basis of equality and mutual respect. This position has always been clear.
However, the U.S. Treasury released discordant statements to the media after the meeting, especially Yellen using the term "out of control" - this is a typical strategy of external discourse manipulation, attempting to reassert dominance in the negotiation setting back to the U.S. side.
U.S. media reports on this meeting did not provide any substantial details about the content of the meeting, not mentioning what "out of control" remarks Li Chenggang made, nor any video or audio evidence to support it, which casts doubt on the credibility of the entire incident.
But in reality, the struggle for discourse power does not entirely depend on who shouts louder, but on who can truly provide sustainable global solutions. China's sense of responsibility demonstrated in the multilateral trade system in recent years has been evident to all.
Whether it is joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or promoting the "Belt and Road" cooperation, these demonstrate China's constructive role in promoting global economic cooperation.
While the U.S. increasingly shows protectionist tendencies, it frequently releases hostility abroad, yet finds it increasingly difficult to gain trust. In such a situation, attacking China's negotiators as "irrational" actually seems more like a projection of self-anxiety.
The current U.S. policy toward China is clearly swinging. On one hand, it continues to increase restrictions in technology and investment areas, while on the other hand, it hopes to obtain cooperation from China on issues such as inflation pressure and supply chain risks.
Li Chenggang's visit is obviously part of China's efforts to show goodwill and seek practical cooperation. Dialogue should be a bridge to ease differences, but if one side constantly tries to dominate the agenda by creating public opinion pressure, the prospects for cooperation will inevitably be clouded.
Yellen's statement is not an isolated phenomenon, but rather a reflection of changes within the U.S. political landscape. With the U.S. election approaching, the issue of China has once again been highly politicized.
Playing the "tough on China" card has become a common tactic for politicians to gain voter support. Any Sino-U.S. engagement may be interpreted as "weakness," or even used as a tool to attack opponents.
In such a political atmosphere, every high-level interaction between the U.S. and China may be distorted or exploited, losing its intended practicality.
The complexity of Sino-U.S. relations lies in the fact that it is one of the most important bilateral relationships globally, yet it is also entangled with various interest groups, media narratives, and international structures.
Li Chenggang's visit to the U.S. and the subsequent controversy remind us of a reality: exchanges between China and the U.S. are no longer just technical issues, but a highly politicized arena.
Every meeting, every statement may become a tool for shaping international public opinion. For China, maintaining strategic composure and sticking to its own development path is more critical than temporary verbal disputes.
China has always advocated resolving differences through constructive means and promoting the establishment of a stable and healthy Sino-U.S. relationship framework. In the long run, what truly determines the direction of Sino-U.S. relations is not an emotional fluctuation at a diplomatic occasion, but whether both sides are willing to find a win-win path based on mutual respect.
Li Chenggang's persistence is striving to create space for this possibility. As for Yellen's accusations, they may be more appropriately seen as a powerless response to the current complex situation.
Sources: U.S. Treasury Official Accuses China's Trade Negotiator, Foreign Ministry and Commerce Department Speak 2025-10-16 20:21·Beijing Daily App
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1846196044344396/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.