europe.chinadaily.com.cn
China Condemns US Tariffs, Urges Return to Multilateral Trade
China criticized the US's 25 percent import tax on steel and aluminum, calling it protectionist and a violation of WTO rules, while urging the US to rejoin the multilateral trading system; the move has already begun to negatively impact Chinese businesses, but the immediate effect is limited.
- How does the WTO ruling against US Section 232 tariffs factor into China's criticism of the new tariff policy?
- The US tariff increase is viewed by China and others as a violation of WTO rules and a threat to the global trading system. This unilateral action risks escalating trade disputes and disrupting global supply chains. The long-term impact could be reduced competitiveness for Chinese steel and significant economic slowdown globally.
- What are the immediate consequences of the US's new tariffs on steel and aluminum, and how does this impact the global trading system?
- The US recently announced a 25 percent import tax on steel and aluminum, prompting China to urge the US to rectify its actions and rejoin the multilateral trading system. China cites a WTO ruling against the US Section 232 tariffs as evidence of protectionist behavior. This action has already negatively impacted Chinese steel exports, though the immediate impact is limited.
- What are the potential long-term economic consequences of the US's protectionist measures and the resulting global supply chain disruptions?
- China's response highlights the growing tension between protectionist trade policies and the principles of multilateralism. The US action, and potential retaliatory measures, could lead to fragmented supply chains, higher costs for businesses, and slower global economic recovery. Companies like Ningbo Dafa Chemical Fiber Co Ltd are already diversifying exports to mitigate the risks.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline (not provided, but inferred from the text) and the opening paragraph immediately frame the issue as the US making mistakes and China urging rectification. This sets a negative tone towards the US from the outset. The article consistently emphasizes the negative consequences of US tariffs for China and the global economy, giving significantly less weight to any potential rationale behind the US actions. The sequencing of information emphasizes China's concerns and responses to the US tariffs.
Language Bias
The article uses strong, negative language to describe the US tariffs, such as "typical example of unilateral and protectionist behavior," "significantly harming the interests of other countries," and "undermining the rules-based multilateral trade system." These terms carry a strong negative connotation. More neutral alternatives could include phrases like "tariff measures" instead of "protectionist behavior" or "impacting" instead of "harming." Repeated use of terms like "protectionist" reinforce a negative image of US policy.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the Chinese perspective and the negative impacts of US tariffs. While it mentions domestic opposition within the US, it doesn't delve into the US justifications for the tariffs (national security concerns, etc.) or provide a balanced representation of the US perspective. The potential benefits or arguments for the tariffs are largely absent. Omission of other countries' perspectives besides China's and the US's is also notable.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the situation, framing it largely as a conflict between unilateral US protectionism versus multilateral cooperation. It doesn't fully explore the complexities of global trade, the nuances of national security concerns, or the potential benefits of certain trade restrictions from the US perspective. The portrayal of the situation as a simple choice between cooperation and protectionism is an oversimplification.
Gender Bias
The article features several women experts (Liu Ying, the researcher at Renmin University, and Wang Ling from Ningbo Dafa Chemical Fiber Co Ltd). However, there's no overt gender bias in the way these individuals are presented or in the language used to describe them. The article seems relatively balanced in terms of gender representation in its sources.
Sustainable Development Goals
The US tariffs on steel and aluminum negatively impact global economic growth by disrupting supply chains, increasing costs for businesses, and potentially slowing down the global economic recovery. This directly affects decent work and economic growth as businesses face reduced profit margins and are forced to readjust their operations, potentially leading to job losses or reduced economic opportunities.