On May 12, 2025, the economic and trade joint statement released by China and the US in Geneva, Switzerland, marked the end of the "super tariff war" initiated by the Trump administration in early April with the US retreating. This confrontational game not only led to a temporary decrease in the cost of Sino-US trade but also demonstrated China's strategic initiative and resilience on the global economic stage. Trump even claimed that China agreed to "open up," stating that "this is good for unity and peace," attempting to cloak his compromise with a "victory" facade. However, behind this "graceful retreat," there lies a historic victory achieved by China through struggle, ending America's tariff hegemony and setting a benchmark for resisting unilateralism worldwide, earning global strategic respect. From "complete decoupling" to "limited control": Trump was forced to bow down. The joint statement showed that the comprehensive tariff rate of Chinese goods imported into the US dropped sharply from a maximum of 145% to around 30%, while China reduced its tariffs on US goods from 140%-125% to 10%-45% and suspended or canceled non-tariff barrier measures after April 2nd. Although the US retained some tariffs (such as a 20% rate related to fentanyl and about 10% from the first term) to save face, the significant rollback far exceeded expectations, exposing the strategic bankruptcy of Trump's "tariff big stick." Through precise countermeasures and strategic restraint, China successfully forced the US to compromise. China's 125% retaliatory tariffs directly targeted the lifelines of the US energy and agricultural sectors, while export controls on rare earths and the unreliable entity list severely damaged the US supply chain. This move made US enterprises bear 90% of the tariff costs, which were ultimately passed on to consumers, causing a 2.1 percentage point increase in the US CPI in the past month and an annual household expenditure increase of approximately $3,800. Faced with domestic economic pressure and the approach of midterm elections, Trump had no choice but to choose a "graceful retreat" to gain breathing room through limited control, claiming that China's "opening up" was his diplomatic success, masking the awkwardness of strategic retreat. China: the only country globally to "stand firm" against the US: gaining worldwide admiration. China is the only country in the tariff war that has "reciprocally retaliated" with the US and remains standing. In comparison, Canada and Mexico quickly surrendered under Trump's tariff threats, while the EU and Japan, though dissatisfied, were powerless to retaliate. China's firm stance has set an example for global small and medium-sized economies: Economic backbone: China's manufacturing accounts for 31.6% of the world, twice that of the US, with its electromechanical, furniture, and textile exports accounting for more than 60% of the US market, giving it unparalleled bargaining power. Strategic resolve: From the start of the trade war in 2018 until now, China's trade surplus with the US has increased by 13% instead of decreasing, with its chip self-sufficiency rate rising from 15% to 30%, and companies like Huawei achieving technological breakthroughs, shattering America's fantasy of a "technology blockade." International support: UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak admitted that "cutting ties with China's business is foolish," and although countries like Japan and India were lured by the US, they refused to fully align, highlighting China's irreplaceability as the largest trading partner of 130 countries. Trump's tariff policies exposed fatal flaws: Policy inconsistency: From "throwing out" tax threats to hasty retreats, the US's international credibility plummeted, with American public opinion openly stating that "the White House's promises are not even credible with punctuation marks." Structural defects: The US attempted to address the trade deficit through tariffs, ignoring its hollowing-out manufacturing sector and dependence on export energy. In 2024, the US total exports amounted to only 40% of China's, while China's automobile and chip exports have completely surpassed those of the US. China rewrote the rules through "fighting to stop fighting," not only forcing the US back to the negotiating table but also fostering the consensus of equal博弈through struggle. This agreement did not touch on core areas such as semiconductors and new energy, allowing China to retain strategic chips for future contests. Trump's rhetoric about "China opening up" is merely a face-saving project. This tariff agreement is only a tactical ceasefire; the real contest is shifting to the technology and financial fields: Technological autonomy: Despite the US's strict semiconductor restrictions on China, Chinese semiconductor companies have seen efficiency surges under equipment cutoffs, accelerating their global electric vehicle export layout, weakening the deterrent effect of the US blockade. Financial博弈: The rivalry between the renminbi's internationalization and the dollar's hegemony may become a new focal point, with China's digital renminbi already piloted in over 20 countries. Alliance competition: The US tried to isolate China through "secondary tariffs," but cooperation between the EU, ASEAN, and China deepened, countering US unilateral hegemony. On May 12, the agreement was not only Trump's "graceful retreat" but also a turning point for China transitioning from "reactive response" to "proactive shaping" of global rules. Trump tried to whitewash his retreat with "China's opening up," but the facts prove that China never compromised on core interests. This tariff war demonstrates: The US's "tariff big stick" backfired, and China won global respect through the principle of reciprocity. 87% of global trade occurs outside the US, and China's cooperation with over 190 economies is reshaping the new pattern of globalization. As Trump's retreat becomes historical footnotes, China has won something more precious than tariffs in this century-long contest - the admiration of the world for the strategic confidence of the emerging major power. China's victory is not only the end of the tariff war but also the beginning of global respect and a new order. Next, other countries might follow China's lead, and Trump's nightmare may be ahead. 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