By Zhong Sheng
The recent U.S. decision to further increase tariffs on Chinese goods severely violates the consensus reached by the two countries’ top leaders and damages the interests of both countries.
The tariff threat is a total lose-lose decision that disrupts global industrial and supply chains and impedes the growth of international trade and the world economy.
Even so, some “naïve” U.S. politicians are still thinking that China would not take countermeasures and raise tariffs on American products. But such “naivety” only revealed their misjudgement of the current situation, especially the underestimation of China’s resolve and capability to fight back.
In the face of continuous extreme pressure from the U.S., China has always stayed rational and exercised restraint. Resolving to safeguard its core interests and the fundamental interests of its people, China will never compromise on major issues of principle. The country is determined to counter any provocation and has the capability to fight to the end.
In response to U.S. threats, China successively increased tariffs on part of U.S. imports starting from June 1 this year, announced the establishment of an “unreliable entities list”, issued warnings for Chinese tourists and students traveling to and seeking to study in the US and suspended purchases of U.S. agricultural products. The third round of Chinese countermeasures against the U.S. is also on the way.
What China has done indicated that the country suits its actions to its words. Anybody’s attempt to force China into accepting unreasonable demands will eventually fail.
Obsessed with hegemony, some U.S. politicians have a huge appetite to grab all the benefits of the world in total disregard of the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries.
Jeffrey Sachs, professor of economics at Columbia University pointed out that the unilateral policies of the U.S. impact global economy on multiple levels, and everyone is paying a price for such policies, as they undermine global cooperation and increase the risk of conflicts.
The unilateral and bullying practices of the U.S. have seriously trampled on international equity, posing a grave threat to the rule-based international order and multilateral trading system.
By taking resolute and effective countermeasures, China is safeguarding both the interests of itself and the common interests of the people around the world.
China’s position is consistent and clear that trade wars produce no winners. China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one, and it will fight one if necessary.
Anyone who clings obstinately to the wrong path and underestimates China’s resolve and capability to take countermeasures will finally bow to the iron will of the Chinese people and pay a price.
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy.)
