US President Donald Trump has delighted global investors with the possibility of a “substantial” reduction of China tariffs. But his signal to de-escalate America’s trade war with the world’s second-biggest economy has been greeted with suspicion and ridicule inside China, with online users deriding the mercurial leader as having “chickened out.” On Tuesday, Trump told reporters at the Oval Office the astronomical tariffs on Chinese goods will “come down substantially.” He even promised to eschew hardball tactics, vowing to be “very nice” at the negotiating table and pledged not to mention the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic. But those peace overtures have failed to elicit a positive response from Beijing. At least, not publicly. Asked about Trump’s comments on Wednesday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry appeared to shrug them off by citing a familiar official refrain: Beijing is willing to talk, but not when it’s being pressured or threatened by triple-digit tariffs. Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University in Beijing, explained that, after weeks of posturing and contradictory messages, Chinese officials mistrust Trump. Moreover, he says, Beijing feels it now has the upper hand. “The pressure at home is mounting, and much of his current messaging is aimed at appeasing domestic concerns,” he told CNN, pointing to a slump on Wall Street and concerns about inflation. “He’s getting a bit flustered now. But China doesn’t buy into his talk about (substantially lowering) tariffs. He says one thing today and another tomorrow, maybe increasing them again the next day. He’s not trustworthy.” For months, Beijing has been projecting an air of strength. Last week, Chinese leader Xi Jinping toured three countries in Southeast Asia to bolster China’s position as a stable political and economic partner. However, the Chinese economy isn’t the juggernaut it once was, and some experts say Beijing will eventually have to negotiate. Trump’s potential U-turn on China came a day after he met privately with chief executives of four major US retail companies — Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s — who expressed concern about rising economic fallout from his tariff policy and the uncertainty it has created for financial markets. Many major investment banks have predicted the massive tariffs, as well as China’s 125% retaliatory tariffs on US goods, would plunge the US and global economies into a recession. On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that there were direct talks between US and Chinese officials “every day” on trade, though he didn’t want to be drawn out on the specifics. And while the president hasn’t quantified what he means by a substantial tariff cut, a senior White House official separately told the Wall Street Journal that the current 145% tariffs on China could come down to “between roughly 50% and 65%.” But Renmin University’s Wang, who is currently traveling in Washington and speaking to American analysts, said slashing tariffs to that level is not enough to get China to negotiate. “If you really want to negotiate seriously with China, then you should cancel all those baseless tariffs first, and then come back to the table,” he said, adding that Trump is trying to “bait” Beijing into talks. “If you call him now and show any sign of weakness, he’ll think his tactic is working—and double down,” he added. Hardline response The news that the Trump administration was considering slashing the levies was largely derided on Chinese social media, where it was the top trending topic on Weibo on Thursday morning. “Our side says we don’t care about that!” one user wrote in a comment that garnered more than 1,000 likes. Another said: “If the so-called reciprocal tariffs aren’t even canceled— don’t bother negotiating with them!” This commonly heard hardline position is an echo of China’s public responses. But despite Beijing’s official stance, some Chinese experts question the wisdom of a drawn-out showdown with Washington. Speaking to CNN on condition of anonymity, a foreign policy expert in China said he was concerned about the impact of the sky-high tariffs on the country’s sluggish economy. “Chinese authorities are not telling the truth. We’re being tortured by the grim economic decline,” they said. If the 145% tariffs remain in place, “our entire foreign trade landscape would be significantly impacted, resulting in massive job losses. Social unrest could increase, and the legitimacy of the government could be jeopardized,” they added. Similar views expressed by Chinese experts, including criticism of Beijing’s move to impose tit-for-tat retaliatory tariffs on the US, are often censored on Chinese social media. Hurting oneself Earlier in April, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a top government think tank, posted on his personal WeChat social media feed calling China’s countermeasures “completely wrong.” “The US raising tariffs is like lifting a rock only to drop it on its own foot — we shouldn’t do the same and hurt ourselves,” the researcher wrote in the post, the screenshot of which was censored after gaining traction online. Last month, Beijing set an ambitious target of “around 5%” growth for this year, in a show of confidence in its export-driven economy. However, economists believe it will be tough to meet this target. Analysts believe exports, which surged by 12.4% in March compared with the year before, will not be able to maintain that strong momentum in the coming months because of the American levies. Earlier this month, investment bank Goldman Sachs said the US tariffs will “significantly weigh” on the Chinese economy. The expert who spoke to CNN anonymously believes China will come to the negotiation table in time. “The Chinese side is posturing,” they said. “We must quickly reverse the trade war with the United States, but it’s all about saving face — pretending to be strong while waiting for the US to blink first. Then it can frame any compromise in the China-US negotiations as a Chinese victory and an American failure.”
Trump’s trade war olive branch met with derision and mistrust inside China
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"China Responds Skeptically to Trump's Proposed Tariff Reductions"
CNN
7.0
TruthLens AI Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump's recent suggestion of a significant reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods has been met with skepticism and mockery within China. Despite his optimistic statements made during a press conference, where he promised to adopt a more amicable approach in trade negotiations, Chinese officials and social media users have reacted with derision. Trump claimed that tariffs would 'come down substantially' and expressed a commitment to avoid contentious topics like the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry dismissed these claims, reiterating Beijing's position that it would not engage in negotiations under pressure from high tariffs. Experts in China, such as Wang Yiwei from Renmin University, have pointed out that Trump's inconsistent messaging has led to a lack of trust in his commitments, with many believing that he is attempting to divert attention from domestic economic concerns in the U.S. The Chinese leadership has been projecting strength while facing its own economic challenges, suggesting that the trade war may necessitate negotiations in the future despite the current hardline stance.
The reaction within China has largely been one of mistrust, with social media platforms filled with comments ridiculing Trump's overtures. Users have expressed a firm stance against negotiating unless the tariffs are fully lifted. Some analysts, speaking anonymously, have noted the potential economic repercussions of maintaining high tariffs, warning of possible job losses and social unrest. While the Chinese government has set modest growth targets, the negative impact of U.S. tariffs is expected to hinder economic performance. There is a sense among some experts that, despite the current posturing, China may eventually need to engage in negotiations, as the economic decline could lead to significant challenges. The analysis suggests that while China projects an image of strength, it is also waiting for an opportunity to negotiate from a position that allows it to frame any compromises as victories, thus preserving face in international dealings.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a complex dynamic between the U.S. and China regarding trade relations, particularly in the context of President Trump's recent comments about reducing tariffs. The initial optimism from U.S. investors contrasts sharply with the skepticism expressed by Chinese officials and citizens. This analysis examines the motivations behind the article and its potential implications for international relations and economic stability.
Motivations Behind the Article
The news aims to highlight the gap between U.S. expectations and Chinese perceptions regarding trade negotiations. By showcasing the ridicule directed at Trump from within China, the article emphasizes a lack of trust in his administration's commitments. This aligns with a broader narrative that questions the reliability of U.S. leadership in international diplomacy, particularly in trade relations.
Public Sentiment and Mistrust
In China, the response to Trump's overtures is not one of enthusiasm, but rather suspicion and derision. The mention of online ridicule signifies a broader public sentiment that may reflect disillusionment with U.S. promises. The article suggests that Chinese officials are increasingly wary of Trump's unpredictability, which could influence their negotiation strategies moving forward.
Potential Concealment of Issues
While the article focuses on the trade war, it may indirectly divert attention from underlying economic challenges faced by China. By framing the narrative around mistrust and ridicule, it shifts the focus away from the potential vulnerabilities within China's own economy, which may not be as robust as it once appeared.
Manipulative Characteristics
The article carries a moderate level of manipulativeness, primarily through its choice of language and framing. By emphasizing ridicule and derision, it crafts a narrative that might lead readers to view Trump’s position as weak or ineffectual. This could serve to bolster the perception of China as a more stable and trustworthy partner, thereby influencing public opinion in favor of Chinese leadership.
Truthfulness and Reliability
The reliability of the article hinges on the accuracy of its representation of Chinese sentiment and U.S. intentions. While it captures a legitimate reaction to Trump's statements, it is essential to consider whether such reactions are representative of broader trends or merely vocalized opinions of a vocal minority.
Implications for Society and Economy
The article could affect public perception and investor confidence. If U.S. investors interpret the skepticism from China as a signal of deeper rifts, it might lead to volatility in stock markets and trade-related sectors. Companies heavily reliant on Chinese markets may experience fluctuations in their stock value based on perceived risks associated with trade negotiations.
Community Support and Target Audience
This article may resonate more with individuals and communities critical of U.S. foreign policy, particularly those who advocate for a more diplomatic approach to international relations. It might also appeal to audiences interested in economic stability and the dynamics of global trade.
Impact on Global Markets
The news could influence international stock markets, particularly in sectors impacted by trade tariffs, such as technology and manufacturing. Companies that export to China or rely on Chinese manufacturing could see their stock prices react to perceived changes in trade policy.
Geopolitical Relevance
In terms of global power dynamics, the article reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, making it particularly relevant in today’s geopolitical landscape. The themes discussed connect to broader discussions about economic hegemony and the shifting balance of power in global trade.
Use of AI in Writing
There is a possibility that AI could have been employed in crafting the article, particularly in structuring the narrative and analyzing sentiment. AI models might have guided the language choices to emphasize certain themes, such as mistrust and ridicule, shaping the reader's perception of the events discussed.
Conclusion
The article serves multiple purposes, primarily illustrating the complexities of U.S.-China relations while simultaneously addressing issues of trust and economic stability. Its implications could extend to market reactions and public sentiment, reflecting the intricate interplay between diplomacy, economics, and international relations.