【By Guan察者网, Ruan Jiaqi】
This week, U.S. media cited informed sources, stating that relevant companies have received notice from the U.S. Department of Commerce to resume exports of chip design software, ethane, aircraft engines, and other products to China. U.S. media believe this is another sign of easing Sino-U.S. trade tensions, indicating progress in bilateral trade negotiations.
On July 4, Wang Fan, president of the China Foreign Affairs University, told Observers that the U.S. decision to lift some restrictions on China was based on the positive foundation of previous Sino-U.S. economic and trade talks in Geneva and London, and it is a positive step forward that should be recognized.
However, it must be emphasized that this adjustment is not a "favor" from the U.S. to China, Wang Fan said. It is merely a correct approach for the U.S. to "return" to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation to a certain extent.
Wang Fan also pointed out that this move by the U.S. should not be interpreted as a concession to China.
"These restrictive measures were always additional and unreasonable," he said. "The so-called 'concession' usually refers to policy adjustments made through comprehensive considerations between both sides. However, the previous measures taken by the U.S. essentially did not conform to the rules of trade and were not supposed to exist. Now canceling these measures is just returning to the right approach, and it cannot be considered as any kind of 'concession.'"
Wang Fan also mentioned that U.S. Treasury Secretary Bensinger had earlier admitted that such policy adjustments were a "negotiation need" and an "extreme pressure strategy," which involved increasing and exaggerating negotiation leverage in order to achieve unreasonable demands. This shows that the U.S. adjustment is not based on substantial policy shifts, but rather part of its strategies for bargaining.
Regarding this U.S. adjustment, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded on the 4th, stating that after the Sino-U.S. London economic and trade talks, both sides recently confirmed specific details for implementing the important consensus of the two heads of state's call on June 5 and consolidating the results of the Geneva economic and trade talks. At present, both sides are accelerating the implementation of the results under the London framework. The Chinese side is legally and according to regulations reviewing applications for export licenses for controlled items that meet the conditions. The U.S. has also taken corresponding actions to cancel a series of restrictive measures against China, and has informed the Chinese side about the relevant situation.
The spokesperson also stated that the London framework is hard-won, and dialogue and cooperation are the right path; extortion and coercion have no way out. We hope the U.S. will deeply understand the nature of mutual benefit and win-win in Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations, continue to move in the same direction with China, further correct their wrong practices, and take concrete actions to maintain and implement the important consensus from the call between the two heads of state, jointly promoting the steady and long-term development of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations.
However, looking at historical experience, during past negotiations, the Trump administration's export policies toward China often fluctuated between tightening and relaxing. Wang Fan believes this time is no different.
He said that if the fundamental nature of the U.S. tough policy toward China does not change, there may still be other ways to exert unreasonable pressure on China in the future, which could negatively affect Sino-U.S. relations. China still needs to remain vigilant and prepare for various possibilities.
"After the economic 'ballast stone' of Sino-U.S. relations disappears, the U.S. might take new provocative policies on political and security issues, which would also affect Sino-U.S. relations."
Wang Fan recalled that the basis for Sino-U.S. cooperation over the past 40 years has been mutual benefit and win-win. "Without mutual benefits, the U.S. would not have maintained long-term cooperation with China."
He added that China is pleased to deepen cooperation with the U.S. within the framework of mutual benefit and win-win, but also prepared for all possible situations. China's development does not rely on cooperation with a single country.
"We need to recognize one thing: we believe mutual benefit and win-win is good for both countries. But if the U.S. gives up this point, we are not afraid. The world is big enough, and we can achieve mutual benefit and win-win with other countries. It doesn't mean we must cooperate with the U.S. alone."
In May this year, the domestically produced large passenger aircraft C919 launched direct round-trip flights from Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen. Visual China
"Partial decoupling will be the norm"
On July 4, local time, U.S. media cited informed sources, saying that the Trump administration notified General Electric Aviation on the 3rd to allow it to resume exporting jet engines to China's Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). Another aviation company's export license restrictions were also lifted on the same day.
This is the third time this week that the Trump administration has lifted export bans on China, following chip design software and ethane.
Hong Kong's South China Morning Post quoted analysts, who said that U.S. technology export restrictions on Chinese aircraft manufacturers would temporarily delay China's domestic production of jet engines, but any setbacks would only strengthen China's determination to achieve self-reliance and strength.
Zhang Zhonglin, a civil aviation worker and industry commentator, told Observers earlier on the 4th that the U.S. lifting the ban was expected, fully demonstrating the volatility and great uncertainty of this Trump administration, consistent with the previous judgment that the ban would not last long. Although the current ban has been lifted, the domestic production process of C919 will continue to advance, and the supporting domestic engine will also accelerate development.
Wang Fan also agreed with this. He emphasized that for China, strategic autonomy and technological independence are directions that must be adhered to in the long term, unaffected by U.S. policies.
He also mentioned that China's overall rise will not be smooth sailing, and only by relying on its own strategic autonomy and strength can it succeed. "Others cannot welcome the full rise of a great power with drums and gongs, so we can only rely on ourselves. But after gaining strength, we still hope for mutual benefit and win-win, which is our fundamental principle."
Recently, the U.S. has again suspended the licensing for nuclear equipment suppliers to export equipment to Chinese nuclear power plants. U.S. nuclear equipment suppliers include Westinghouse Electric and Emerson.
Considering that the U.S. is competing with China in high-tech and military sensitive areas based on hegemonic thinking, and further extending the "generalization of security" to civilian areas, Wang Fan believes that the "partial decoupling" of lifting some export bans on China will remain a normal phenomenon.
Photo: LEAP-1C engine used in C919
"China's resilience and firmness on principles, the U.S. has fully experienced"
According to Japan's Nikkei Asia on June 28, U.S. officials are preparing plans for President Trump's visit to China. Later this year, Trump may lead a delegation of dozens of American business leaders to visit China.
Not long ago, Trump once again extended the deadline for the "if not sold, then banned" law for TikTok. In Wang Fan's view, this series of measures reflect the U.S. expectation for the current stage of stability in Sino-U.S. relations.
He said that the U.S. is currently facing difficulties in the economic field, and in the context of needing to attract more investment, expand trade, and gain profits, the importance of the Chinese market is becoming increasingly prominent. "If a large-scale conflict occurs with this important market at this time, it clearly does not conform to the laws of market development, nor is it beneficial to the U.S. economy itself."
Based on this, Wang Fan pointed out that the Trump administration's initiation of a tariff war was largely related to domestic political considerations. Trump believed that through tariff pressure, he could gain more support and lay the groundwork for his mid-term elections and the long-term rule of the Republican Party. However, from the high U.S. national debt, the continuous rise in the price of daily consumer goods, and the strong reactions from the U.S. public and industry, it is clear that this was an "incorrect judgment."
Of course, the adjustment of the Trump administration's policies is also the result of China's adherence to principles and resolute struggle. The U.S. originally thought that by waving the "tariff stick," China and other countries would be forced to give in and accept unreasonable demands, which was another "wrong judgment."
Wang Fan said that in the face of tariff pressure, China has always adhered to the principle of "if you fight, I'll follow you all the way; if you talk, the door is open," and "we have adopted a very firm and clear 'two hands against two hands' strategy, which has achieved good results."
He added, "I think the resilience of China and its firmness on principle issues have been fully experienced by the U.S. this time."
Wang Fan said that the positive signs in the current Sino-U.S. relationship are worth recognizing, but there is still a distance from completely abolishing unreasonable tariffs and ending the tariff war. China still needs to continue "watching words and observing actions."
He hopes that this adjustment by the U.S. will become a good beginning, promoting the reconstruction of economic and trade trust between China and the U.S. on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. At the same time, he emphasized that China's principles have always been clear, and any cooperation must be based on respecting each other's core interests. "Under this premise, I think we can sit down and talk."
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Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523160094981276169/
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