In the latest twist of the U.S.-China trade saga, Beijing remains unruffled by Washington's recent tariff hikes. According to Yao Yang, director of the China Economic Research Centre at Peking University, higher duties serve no one and tariffs certainly will not make America great again.
Yao Yang warns that trade wars produce only casualties—businesses, consumers, and diplomatic trust all feel the pain. Instead of punitive measures, he argues, the U.S. might find more durable solutions through comprehensive domestic reforms that address underlying economic challenges.
No Winners in a Trade War
Yao states that there are no winners in a trade war. When tariffs rise, global supply chains buckle, prices climb, and collaborative momentum slows. The current tariff spike, he suggests, has become less about economic strategy and more about political posturing.
Reforms Over Retaliation
By urging Washington to sharpen its focus on infrastructure, innovation, and workforce development, Yao points to an alternative path: strengthening the U.S. economy from within rather than escalating duties that risk alienating allies and spooking investors.
Global Standing at Stake
Beyond balance sheets, the tariff chaos carries reputational stakes. As the world watches, America's turn toward protectionism has prompted questions: Is the U.S. still the open, confident partner it once was? Observers in Beijing argue that persistent trade tensions could reshape global perceptions of U.S. leadership.
As trade friction intensifies, stakeholders on both sides will be watching to see if rhetoric gives way to reforms—or if tariffs continue to dominate the dialogue. One thing is clear: Yao Yang believes the key to long-term prosperity lies not in walls of duties but in high-quality domestic policies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
