On Monday, the paper featured an article pointing out how companies like Tesla Inc. and Apple Inc. have thrived in China’s huge market and taken advantage of its manufacturing capabilities. The tone was conciliatory, urging for more cooperation between China and the U.S. despite their ongoing competition.
“China and the U.S. can absolutely achieve a mutually beneficial win-win situation by leveraging their respective advantages and boosting investment cooperation,” the article stated.
However, by focusing on the areas where the U.S. gains from the relationship, China also highlighted its leverage in case the trade situation worsens. In response to Trump’s 20% tariffs on Chinese products this year, China had previously targeted U.S. agricultural and energy goods. Additionally, China launched an antitrust probe into Google and blacklisted the U.S. gene-sequencing company Illumina.
Beijing has made it clear it’s ready to retaliate if Trump intensifies his actions. China's top diplomat recently criticized U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods related to the fentanyl crisis, calling for them to be removed. In an interview with Russian state news service RIA Novosti, Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that China would respond firmly if the U.S. continues to apply pressure.
On Wednesday, the People’s Daily published another article discussing the benefits of U.S. agricultural imports to China. These imports have helped meet Chinese demand while boosting American farmers’ incomes. This commentary was attributed to Zhong Sheng, a pen name often used to express China's foreign policy views.
The article is part of a series aimed at addressing the relationship between China and the U.S., timed with Trump’s plan to impose additional tariffs on April 2. A review of China’s compliance with a previous trade agreement was due the day before, potentially influencing future tariff decisions.
John Gong, a former consultant for China’s Commerce Ministry, now a professor in Beijing, suggested that this piece may be Beijing’s last attempt to sway Trump’s decision on tariffs. However, he believes it is unlikely to change his mind.
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