As the trade war between the US and China escalates, Chinese state media has urged President Donald Trump to stop complaining about unfair trade practices, citing the country’s own consumption habits as a major contributor to its economic woes.
The trade war between the US and China continues to escalate, with both countries finding new ways to raise the stakes. Chinese state media has taken aim at US President Donald Trump‘s frequent claims of being a victim of unfair trade practices, saying he should stop whining about it.
The US-China trade war began in 2018, with the US imposing tariffs on Chinese goods worth $34 billion.
China responded by imposing its own tariffs on US goods.
The conflict escalated in 2020, with both countries increasing their tariffs.
The trade war has had significant economic impacts, including a decline in global trade and increased costs for consumers.
The dispute centers around issues such as intellectual property theft, technology transfer, and market access.
The Problem is Not Being ‘Cheated’
The editorial published by China Daily, the ruling Communist party’s English-language mouthpiece, argues that the US is not being unfairly treated in its trade dealings. Instead, it says the country has been living beyond its means for decades, consuming more than it produces and outsourcing manufacturing to other countries. This approach allows the US to maintain a higher standard of living without being based on its productivity.
‘The US is not getting ripped off by anybody,’ the editorial states. ‘The problem is the US has been living beyond its means for decades. It consumes more than it produces. It has outsourced its manufacturing and borrowed money in order to have a higher standard of living than it’s entitled to based on its productivity. Rather than being ‘cheated’, the US has been taking a free ride on the globalisation train.’
A Call to Action
The editorial calls on the US to stop whining about itself being a victim in global trade and to end its capricious and destructive behavior. China has refused to capitulate to Trump’s demands to renegotiate their terms of trade, saying ‘the ball is in China’s court’.
‘The US should put an end to its capricious and destructive behaviour,’ the editorial says.
The United States is a melting pot of cultures, with various ethnic and racial groups influencing behavior.
Research suggests that American culture values individualism, with people prioritizing personal freedom and autonomy.
According to a Pew Research Center study, 72% of Americans believe in 'hard work as the key to success'.
The country's fast-paced lifestyle and emphasis on productivity also contribute to stress levels, with 63% of employees reporting burnout.
Economic Impact
Analysts and officials expect the trade war to have a significant impact on both economies. China was already struggling to rebound since the pandemic with low consumer spending and high youth unemployment. However, recent economic figures suggest that the country is showing signs of recovery, driven in part by exporters rushing to move products to the US before tariffs came into effect.
Beijing’s Response
Beijing has announced better-than-expected economic figures, but warned that US tariffs will put certain pressures on its foreign trade and economy. Sheng Laiyun, a senior official at the statistics bureau, said ‘the US tariffs ‘will put certain pressures on our country’s foreign trade and economy’.’
China’s Leader Visits Asia
Meanwhile, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is visiting several Asian nations, including Malaysia, to strengthen trading relationships with other countries. He said that China would be willing to partner with Malaysia and other Asean countries to create high-level strategic alliances.
Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician who has been serving as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) since 2012.
Born on June 15, 1953, in Beijing, China, he rose through the ranks to become President of the People's Republic of China in 2013.
Xi Jinping is known for his anti-corruption campaigns and efforts to strengthen China's global influence.
He has also been a key figure in shaping China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive infrastructure project aimed at connecting China with other parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa.
China has also taken retaliatory measures against the US, including ordering its airlines to pause purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from American companies, including Boeing. The Hong Kong postal service has also announced it will stop accepting US-bound packages due to what it described as ‘the US’s unreasonable and bullying acts’
- theguardian.com | Chinese state media tells Trump to ‘stop whining’ as trade war spirals
