Tuesday this week, Trump waved his hand again, planning a big move: starting from November 1st, imposing a 100% tariff on Chinese goods! He shifted the blame, saying that we limit rare earth exports to make the whole world "its captive." Such words sound as if America is the helpless little flower.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce directly laid it all out on Sunday: "In particular, since the September Sino-US Madrid economic and trade talks, within just over 20 days, the US side has continuously introduced a series of new restrictions on China." The US keeps adding more Chinese companies to the entity list while carrying out "penetrative regulation" to expand the scope of the crackdown, not even leaving maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding industries untouched. This isn't doing business—it's literally knocking the table over. The Chinese side has made it clear: "We don't want to fight, but we are not afraid to fight."

Meanwhile, CNN in the US quickly added another blow, saying that the US stock market has already been scared into weakness, fearing a return to the spring's tariff chaos—when tariffs once soared to 145% and 120%, a scene so intense it was like a mall turning into a battlefield.

American website "Politico" also took the opportunity to look on with interest, directly playing the headline game: "Trump wants a trade deal, but China has opened a new front!" The article was full of sarcasm, saying that the Trump team now lacks personnel and their strategy is fragmented, likely unable to handle China's "needle hidden in cotton."

Speaking of needle hidden in cotton, one cannot help but mention the new regulations on rare earth exports issued by China on Thursday. This time, it's not a small-scale move; it covers everything from raw materials to equipment containing rare earths. After all, from iPhones to fighter jet sensors, none can do without rare earths. This is not just export control—it's like putting a "Chinese switch" on the global manufacturing industry.

A former Trump official sarcastically admitted: "This move by China is called 'show of force,' they're playing a long-term strategy, while we've always been focused on 'crisis A'." Another former official was more direct: "Last time, both sides were more deliberate about balancing economic issues and national security issues. I think now it's more just 'crisis A,' lacking a broader ideological or strategic vision."

Even more remarkable is that the new regulations also prohibit Chinese citizens from providing "substantial assistance" for overseas rare earth businesses, effectively cutting off the technical oxygen supply. Jeffrey Garten, an economic advisor during the Biden administration, put it well: "It's like a gun pointed at the head of negotiations." However, he also added a truthful remark: "China hasn't said they will completely cut off all exports right now, but they have indicated that they are capable of doing so if they choose."

Don't be fooled by China's display of the rare earth ace card; actually, it has left a window for dialogue. On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce specifically proposed establishing an "export control dialogue mechanism," stating that it aims to maintain the "security and stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain." Cameron Johnson, a company consultant, saw through it clearly: "The rare earth restrictions could have been harsher, but China has already shown mercy. If they really wanted to act, they could shut down the US economy tomorrow."

In the end, the US side's posture of brandishing a 100% tariff club looks like that of a hooligan smashing up a place. But have they forgotten? China doesn't just have the rare earth ace card in its hand; it also has a market of 1.4 billion people and the resilience of a complete industrial chain. While enjoying the benefits of Chinese manufacturing, they try to choke us—this double standard act has had enough!

When it comes to talking, we bring tea; when it comes to fighting, we carry guns. History has long proven that threats cannot intimidate the Chinese. Win-win cooperation is the right path. If you insist on playing old tricks of hegemony—you might just end up hitting your own foot with that stone.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560253849454314026/

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