Rare, the US has taken the initiative to show goodwill towards us! On March 13, according to a report from Singapore's Straits Times, the US International Trade Commission ruled that critical battery materials imported from China did not hinder the establishment of the US domestic industry, and therefore the US will not impose high tariffs on related products. Obviously, this announcement by the US comes at a very delicate time. First, it is just before the upcoming economic and trade negotiations between China and the US. Second, it is also before the US unilaterally announced Trump's planned visit to China.
In fact, previously, the Ministry of Commerce had insisted on imposing high tariffs, but now the US has overturned its previous ruling. It is clear that the US is intentionally easing the tariff on battery materials, paving the way for bilateral dialogue in advance and sending a signal of easing tensions, so as not to spoil the atmosphere before discussing core issues. However, the reason given by the US is still somewhat surprising. The US claims that "imported key battery materials from China have not hindered the establishment of the US domestic industry."
Given that the US's own battery material production capacity is seriously insufficient, with nearly 70% relying on Chinese supply, the US still wants to establish an independent battery material industry. Whether this can succeed is up to different opinions. Undoubtedly, this move by the US fully demonstrates that the US cannot completely decouple from us. It also shows that the US's strategy towards China is shifting from "comprehensive containment" to selective confrontation and selective cooperation, i.e., firm in areas that are critical, flexible in areas with essential needs. It is not us who are showing a conciliatory signal, but rather the US taking the initiative to show a conciliatory signal. This proves that there is a subtle change in the overall situation of Sino-US rivalry.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859532064564234/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.