US tariffs against China will hurt all
By Han Xiaomeng
People's Daily app
1529124793000

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The White House made the decision Friday to implement a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion worth of goods from China. China responded immediately, opposing the lack of consistency in US policy and imposing additional tariffs on $50 billion worth of US imports. 

Looking back on the China-US trade dispute, the past three rounds of trade consultations were steered toward a win-win result to settle disputes. In disregard of the consensus between the two sides, the US has flip-flopped and ignited a trade war. The Trump administration is imposing its own will upon the international order, which will be a huge blow to the international image and reputation of the US.

China's stance has been consistent and clear that it doesn't want a trade war but is not afraid of one. Confronted with the seemingly unexpected move of the White House, China is fully prepared and has strong resolve to fight back in the trade war imposed on it. 

The retaliatory measures of imposing additional duties of 25 percent on 659 US products show China's resolve in safeguarding its core interests, which the US shouldn't underestimate. Once the US tariffs take effect, all the trade agreements and progress from previous talks will be in vain.

A trade war is always a war lost by all. The trade war started by the US is disastrous to free trade, economic globalization, multilateralism and the global industrial chain. As the largest developed country, the US is supposed to safeguard the multilateral trade system, making everyone share the fruits of economic development and globalization.

In contrast, the Trump administration chose to recklessly impose a trade war on previous allies including the EU, Canada and Mexico. China, along with other countries, should firmly fight against such irresponsible behaviors and let the US pay the cost.

Trade ought to serve the interests of all parties. History proves that waging a trade war to resolve disputes is an outdated and ineffective method which goes against the trend of economic globalization. Due to the trade war, the multilateral trade system is rolling over the edge of a cliff. Only when the world unites together will the global economy return to the right track, eradicating all illusions about trade protectionism.

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A wise man builds the bridge, while a loser puts up a wall. No man is an island, entire of itself. This saying is in line with the trend of globalization. Build a shared community for mankind, or shut the doors to put America first? China and the US are giving two answers on how to resolve conflicts.

Confronted with a trade war, China didn't retreat but made the utmost efforts to fight for the interest of the country and its people, as well as safeguard globalization and the multilateral trade system. Though China will pay certain costs to counter the trade war, in the long run it's worthwhile to pay to maintain an international environment of peace and development and sustain the good momentum achieved in the past 40 years of reform and development. 

Whatever changes take place in the outside world, China will not surrender to external pressure nor will it change its pattern of development. Once this challenge is conquered, China will face a brighter future with greater room for development and increasing opportunities.