As trade talks between the US and China commence in Sweden, China's state media declares its firm stance against US pressure tactics. Despite recent US trade successes with the EU and Japan, China remains resolute in defending its interests, warning against the repercussions of undermining international trade principles.
China's Unyielding Stance Against Trump's Trade Tactics
China's Unyielding Stance Against Trump's Trade Tactics
The EU recently reached an agreement with Trump on trade tariffs. As China and the US meet in Sweden, it will be challenging for Trump's negotiators to secure a similarly favorable deal. "Our resolve is unyielding," states an editorial in the Communist Party's newspaper, asserting that coercion is futile.
The US arrived at the trade talks with China in Stockholm, which began on Monday, after recently securing advantageous deals with the EU and Japan. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, participating in the talks, claims this gives the US a "strong hand" against China.
Before the talks, President Donald Trump mentioned that the framework for a "deal" with China is now visible. This follows his recent concessions, including allowing Nvidia to resume selling AI chips to China, previously restricted by export controls.
Chinese officials have been relatively quiet ahead of the meeting. However, the tone in China's state media is much tougher. During the negotiations in Stockholm, the party newspaper People's Daily published an editorial under the pseudonym "Zhong Sheng," a play on "China's voice," conveying that China is not susceptible to coercion.
Protecting Global Interests
"As China faces various forms of containment and oppression from the US, including tariff coercion, investment restrictions, and technology blockades, our resolve to defend legitimate interests is unyielding, and our capability is evident to all," writes "Zhong Sheng," a pseudonym reflecting the Communist Party's stance on various issues.
The editorial further argues that the trade conflicts initiated by the US are not a temporary interest clash but challenge the fundamental rules of the international trade order.
According to "Zhong Sheng," China is not only defending its legitimate rights and interests but also safeguarding international justice and fairness, as well as the foundations of global development. In a clear appeal for sympathy from other countries, it is emphasized how everyone risks becoming victims of aggravated coercion if fundamental principles are compromised.
Unlikely Chinese Concessions
While China's rhetoric remains tough, it is clear that Donald Trump has recently shifted his stance on China. The scrapped export restrictions on Nvidia's AI chips are just one measure that has led to criticism among more China-critical officials in the US.
Yesterday, the Financial Times reported that Trump himself instructed the US Department of Commerce not to take any new actions against China and to ease existing high-tech restrictions. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is also absent from the talks in Stockholm.
The talks are led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated before the meeting that they want to see China "open up" to balance the US trade deficit with the country. The idea is to use tariffs as a tool for promises of increased imports from and investments in the US, just as with the EU and Japan.
However, from Vice Premier He Lifeng, who leads China's delegation with Xi Jinping's full confidence, there are no signs of changing China's economic model of subsidized manufacturing and low consumption. Just as the People's Daily writes, China, unlike the EU, is not inclined to yield to coercion.