With or without trade war deal, disputes between China and US set to intensify, says Beijing commentator
- Beijing-based independent political economy commentator Zhang Lin shares his thoughts as the March 1 trade war truce deadline nears
- Quote former Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong saying ‘the imperialists have never ceased their efforts to destroy us’ to suggest Chinese sentiment on US demands
It is wrong to advocate confrontation, but it is not right to pretend there is peace either.
In the current economic climate, China and the United States may reach a trade deal to avoid an escalation in the current tariff war, but such an agreement will not lead to harmonious coexistence between Beijing and Washington.
Demands from Washington can be generalised into two main themes. One is asking China to open up its market further, and the other is asking China to reform its state-led economic model through “structural changes”.
Beijing can compromise on the first demand, but not the second.
As part of China’s reform and opening up initiative, the state had generally retreated from the market and economy in the period from 1978 to 2008, But since then, the state has made a comeback and altered the direction of China’s economic underpinnings.
