Can Pence’s Criticism of China Hold Water?
China had never owed anything to the US and was full of goodwill towards the US.
Oct 12, 2018
Growing China Bias Makes the Truth Hard to Find
Cybertheft accusations against China would be a convenient means of pressuring these companies to adhere to the Administration’s attempt to undercut Chinese tech companies.
Oct 12, 2018
US “Poison Pill” Is Poisoning the World
It is easy to take sides politically or ideologically, but politicization of trade issues is itself a poison pill that no one will be able to escape. The poison pill as embedded in USMCA is after all poisonous, not only for China, but also the world at large.
Oct 12, 2018
China Defends Free Trade at This Year’s Summer Davos
The conference, under the theme of “Shaping Innovative Societies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” highlighted China’s commitment to opening up.
Sep 21, 2018
Should We Trust Trump in Trade Talks? Talks Are Always Better than No Talks.
Talks are always better than no talks. Ultimately, no one really cares who took the first step because the essence of the whole matter is to contain the increasing damages to both economies.
Sep 18, 2018
Mnuchin Proposing New Trade Negotiations: A Turnaround or a Tactic?
United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin sent a proposal to China on September 12, seeking the initiation of a new round of trade negotiations. Gao Feng, spokesman of China’s Ministry of Commerce, responded the following day that China had received the proposal and welcomes talks. Beijing and Washington are now working out the negotiation details. Escalating trade conflict is not in line with interests of either party, Gao emphasized. Since the trade war was first waged by the US in July, the US has already levied tariffs on $50bn of Chinese products, while China has retaliated with measures worth an equivalent amount. Now, Trump’s government is considering a duty increase on $200bn of Chinese products. With these factors in mind, how should we interpret the signal for talks the US has sent out at this crucial time? Does it indicate a turnaround? Increasing Domestic Pressure on Trump’s Government From running a presidential election campaign to taking office, Trump has always held a tough position on trade issues. He has placed the blame for US trade imbalances on other countries, saying they take advantage of the US. Hence, by bearing the torch of trade protectionism, Trump has shaped himself in the image of a strongman who fears no international pressure and always safeguards US interests. This image has won […]
Sep 17, 2018
The Port of Los Angeles: Negotiated Settlement Better Than Tariffs
With the ongoing trade friction between China and the United States, the Port of Los Angeles has added its voice to those calling for a negotiated settlement rather than imposing tariffs, believing the latter could halt the port’s booming business built up over the past two fiscal years.
Aug 24, 2018
U.S. Set to Step on China’s Red Line
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 was signed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The act includes several Taiwan-related clauses which aim to strengthen the so-called “Taiwan’s security”, promote Taiwan-U.S. exchanges.
Aug 20, 2018
Once Bitten, Twice Shy on Matters of Trade and Global Integration
Time pushes forward, with less than half a year until the U.S. midterm elections this coming November, and a president whose lawyer is currently under an FBI investigation; the Trump administration is in a tussle, not only for its mandate, but also for its survival.
Jul 24, 2018
Revisiting Trump’s Unusual Diplomacy
U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of trade tariffs on China has gone further than ever to establish his approach to diplomacy by means of shock effects. It is not that he is suddenly launching new ideas which had not previously been mentioned in the U.S. political debate.
Jul 20, 2018
Who Can And Will Put the Brakes on US Trade War Policy?
Even as Americans launched Chinese-made fireworks in celebration of the Fourth of July, the future of the tradition fell under threat by executive trade war policies. Who will be the brake within the American system?
Jul 6, 2018
Shifting Alliances in a World Where Change is the Only Certainty
Under the circumstances of Sino-U.S. trade frictions and Pro-Brexit, China and the UK might become convenient bedfellows – centered around the Belt and Road Initiative and free trade.
Jul 5, 2018