Letters | America’s tariff intimidation is the act of a modern-day barbarian
Readers discuss why China will never submit to US bullying, a tariff negotiation strategy, Donald Trump’s legacy, and why the US tariff offensive is in fact good for the world
The US, disregarding widespread opposition from the international community, has imposed indiscriminate tariff hikes on all trading partners on absurd pretexts. This is a typical example of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, which seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system and gravely disrupts the global economic order.
The US’ blatant imposition of tariffs as high as 104 per cent on Chinese goods is nothing short of naked intimidation and blackmail, which the Chinese side firmly rejects. Such actions by the US will never “make America great again”; instead, they have made America a barbarian of the 21st century.
The reality is that it is the US side that does not know how to get it started. Nor does it understand the art of dealing with China or other countries. Instead, it is obsessed with the “art” of bullying and blackmailing the entire world.
We must solemnly tell the US: a tariff-wielding barbarian who attempts to force countries to call and beg for mercy can never expect that call from China. In a phone call with then US president-elect Donald Trump back in January, President Xi Jinping clearly stated that China-US economic ties are mutually beneficial and win-win, and neither confrontation nor conflict should be an option for the two countries; the two sides should follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and work more closely together.