China ready to defend itself in trade battle with U.S.

By Sheng Yuhong

On Friday, the United States government unveiled a list of Chinese products worth 50 billion U.S. dollars that will be subject to an additional 25 percent import tariff. China responded swiftly with countermeasures, releasing a list of 659 American items worth 50 billion U.S. dollars that will be subject to the same amount of tariff. This reaction demonstrates the determination of China's government to safeguard its national interests, as well as to protect economic globalization and multilateral trade. 

[Photo: VCG]

Compared to when the United States released its preliminary tariff target list in April, China responded more swiftly this time – it took less than six hours to counter the American move. China's list of countermeasure tariffs is longer and more wide-ranging than the one it released in April, and includes agricultural products, vehicles, medical equipment, and chemicals. 

China's clear responses to American actions – from when it first announced its intention to respond, through to the swift release of its countermeasures – shows that China's government has the power, will, and determination of the Chinese people behind it to face the hard times that may lie ahead. 

There is no winner in a trade war. The Trump administration has shown both the American and Chinese people that it is an unreliable partner. It has disappointed countries with which it is in trade negotiations. Organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. National Retail Federation, and the American Soybean Association have all made statements criticizing the Trump administration on its decision to impose tariffs on Chinese imports. Signaling that the global market is anxious about a trade war between China and the United States, prices for soybean futures dropped to their lowest point in nine and a half months.

China does not want a trade war. But it will fight to protect the long-term interests of its people and to maintain order in the world trade system. China has taken note of the statement by the United States that if China takes steps to retaliate, it will impose even more tariffs. China can respond to this threat by maintaining its approach of invoking countermeasures on the same scale. No matter what the next move will be from the United States, China's attitude and stance will remain the same. 

In this long, difficult, and complicated contest, the elements of time, public support, and the tide of history are all on China's side.

(Sheng Yuhong is a commentator of China Radio International)