Chinese Vice Premier Liu He tried to tone down recent abrupt escalation of trade tensions with the US. He said “we are willing to resolve the issue through consultations and cooperation in a calm attitude and resolutely oppose the escalation of the trade war.” He added that such escalation is “not beneficial for China, the United States, nor to the interests of the people of the world”.
Liu also emphasized that China “welcome enterprises from all over the world, including the United States, to invest and operate in China”. “We will continue to create a good investment environment, protect intellectual property rights, promote the development of smart intelligent industries with our market open, resolutely oppose technological blockades and protectionism, and strive to protect the completeness of the supply chain,” he added.
However, state media is singing another tune. The official China Daily warned that US President Donald Trump’s tariff war was unquestionably “politically motivated”. And, “what Washington wants from its largest trade partner is for it to be content to play second fiddle and meekly do as it demands”. It added “Beijing regards the trade war as an unavoidable trial by fire, from which the country will emerge stronger.”
