Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

Prof. ST Hsieh

Director, US-China Energy Industry Forum

626-376-7460

[email protected]

April 25, 2022

US-China Relation is of concern, no doubt about it. We do not have look any survey data. A fundamental issue is how the politicians react or respond to the public opinion. Further, government does influence public opinions via media. In the US, senators and Congressman or Congresswoman constantly speak on US China relations, they are the influencers: both US policy and public opinion.

The key takeaway is: According to a new survey released by the Morning Consult on Monday… both countries said that 7 in 10 adults believe the two should work to reduce bilateral tensions. This is the public opinion that politicians should pay attention and follow up.

US tariff against Chinese goods is hurting China as well the US. Biden seems to take his “China policy” reactively, rather than proactively. The news report suggested that Biden is reacting to the political consequence of high inflation rather than genuinely working on improving US-China relation. Consistently, Biden and his staff pronounces that US-China relation is the most “consequential” relation in the world, but after taking office on January 21, 2021, there is no comprehensive China strategy. The message from each department sounds fragmented or disjointed. Does anyone in the administration understand what is Biden thinking?

It is very unique that it “would likely require behind-the-scenes negotiations with Beijing.” Is there any negotiation cannot be shared with the public, so it has to be a “secret deal?” Is it any deal with China would damage Biden’s reputation being so tough against China?

Two-thirds in US and China concerned about tensions between superpowers: survey

Rachel Scully Mon, April 25, 2022, 8:31 AM

A majority of adults in the U.S. and China are growing increasingly concerned about economic and military tensions between the two superpowers.

According to a new survey released by the Morning Consult on Monday, two-thirds of respondents in both countries said they are concerned about tensions between the two, adding that 7 in 10 adults believe the two should work to reduce bilateral tensions.

A majority of respondents from both countries view the opposing country as an enemy or unfriendly.

In the U.S., 60 percent of respondents in April said they view China as an enemy or unfriendly, a 5 percent drop from March. The number Chinese adults who view the United States as unfriendly or an enemy increased by 11 percentage points from March to April.

The increase suggests the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to portray the U.S. as responsible for the conflict with Russia are having an effect.

As for future relations between the superpowers, more U.S. and Chinese adults believe that tensions will escalate over the next year.

On the military side, just under 50 percent of U.S. and Chinese adults believe in the likelihood of tensions rising over the next year.

Sixty-one percent of U.S. adults and 55 percent of Chinese adults believe economic tensions will increase over the next year.

Higher inflation factors into review of tariffs on Chinese goods- White House

Mon, April 25, 2022, 4:53 PM By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Biden administration is carefully studying the inflationary impact of tariffs imposed on China by former President Donald Trump’s administration given a surge in consumer prices, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday.

Psaki said she had no news on tariff reductions since U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is still reviewing Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods. But she made clear that higher inflation was a factor in the deliberations.

“This is an ongoing process, and we’re certainly looking at where we see costs being raised and, at a time where we’re seeing heightened inflation, certainly that’s on our minds,” Psaki said.

She said the review was also looking at larger issues, such as China’s behavior in global markets and the impact of tariffs on wages, job opportunities and America’s competitive edge.

The White House comments came days after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said it was “worth considering” taking steps to lower U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods given the “desirable effects” such a move could have on lowering U.S. inflation, which has hit 40-year highs this year.

Deputy national security adviser Daleep Singh told a separate event on Thursday that easing tariffs on non-strategic Chinese goods such as bicycles or apparel could help combat inflation.

Biden’s approval ratings have fallen as the costs of energy, food and other staples have risen, with mounting public frustration threatening to cost Democrats their slim majorities in Congress in midterm elections in November.

Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said Psaki’s comments compounded expectations that the Biden administration was considering tariff reductions.

Bown said that would likely require behind-the-scenes negotiations with Beijing. Such a move would also likely cause tensions with a Biden administration push to move supply chains from China and closer to home.

No comment was immediately available from Tai’s office.

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