China's mainstream media are closely following the upcoming high-level China-U.S. economic and trade dialogue to be held in Switzerland, with several official outlets publishing commentary articles in recent days.
The Chinese mainstream media exhibit a cautious stance regarding the upcoming China-U.S. talks. The commentaries published by them emphasize that while China is open to talks, negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality, and must firmly safeguard China's national interests and international fairness and justice.
The commentaries indicate that China is prepared to respond to any confrontation and believes that pressure and threats are not the correct way to resolve the issues. The Chinese media widely urge the U.S. side to demonstrate sincerity through concrete policy adjustments to promote substantial progress in the talks. The articles also highlight the mutually beneficial nature of China-U.S. economic and trade relations, while criticizing U.S. unilateral tariff measures for not only harming bilateral trade relations and the international economic order but also negatively impacting the U.S. economy itself.
The attitude expressed by the Chinese media is that China is willing to engage in dialogue, but this requires genuine sincerity and practical actions from the U.S. side, abandoning bullying behavior, and jointly promoting a more equitable and rational international order.
The following are the core viewpoints from these articles compiled by this website.
On May 8, People’s Daily published a commentary attributed to “Zhong Sheng”, a pen name used in the paper for important pieces on international affairs. In the article, the newspaper said:
Taking into full consideration global expectations, its own interests, and appeals from U.S. industries and consumers, China has agreed to engage with the U.S. in talks, demonstrating its responsible approach. China is open to talks, but they must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality. If Washington chooses confrontation, Beijing is fully prepared to respond. Pressure, threats, and coercion are not the right way to deal with China. If the U.S. sincerely seeks to resolve issues through conversation, it must honor its commitments with concrete policy adjustments and engage in professional, pragmatic exchanges with China.
China and the U.S. together account for over one-third 1/3 of the global economy, nearly a quarter of the world's population, and about 1/5 of global trade. The essence of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. However, the new U.S. administration's series of unilateral tariff measures—violating international rules and lacking justification—has severely disrupted China-U.S. trade relations, undermined the international economic order, and posed significant challenges to global economic recovery. In defense of its legitimate rights and international fairness, China has taken firm and necessary countermeasures against the U.S. abuse of tariffs.
These reckless U.S. tariffs have also backfired, inflicting heavy costs on US businesses and consumers. The consequences are becoming increasingly evident. Critics across U.S. society argue that such unilateral measures fail to address US’s own issues—instead, they fuel domestic inflation, weaken industrial competitiveness, and heighten recession risks. Repeated calls from the U.S. business community urging the government to lift the additional tariffs on Chinese goods reflect a rational appeal that deserves serious attention.
Washington’s arbitrary tariff measures and relentless pressure campaign against China are clearly a strategic miscalculation. China’s development achievements are the result of the hard work of the Chinese people, not a gift from anyone. It has the strong confidence to "respond resolutely." In 2024, China’s total goods trade exceeded 43 trillion yuan, with a more diversified range of trading partners and reduced reliance on the U.S. The proportion of exports to the U.S. as a share of China’s total exports dropped from 19.2% in 2018 to 14.7% in 2024.
No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain focused on its own development, steadfastly expand openness, uphold the WTO-centered multilateral trading system, and share development opportunities with the world.
On the same day, China Daily released an editorial titled “Time to test Washington's sincerity: China Daily editorial”. In the article, China Daily stated:
China has taken resolute and forceful countermeasures to protect its rights and interests. And its legitimate defensive actions have served to clarify that it is the U.S. that bears responsibility for the damage being done to the global economy and world trade system. The self-harming repercussions of the U.S.’s unjustified, irrational, and unreasonable tariffs and the appeal of China’s principled stance have prompted the U.S. administration to reach out to China, with a view to working something out.
China has indicated that it is willing to oblige, but made it clear that the planned communication in Geneva on the weekend is a prologue, not an ending. The U.S. side should not mistake its willingness to engage in constructive discussions as a sign that it has in any way compromised its position, which stands firmly on the grounds of international legality and the importance of considering the broader interests of the international community.
China remains firmly opposed to bullying and the hegemonic behavior of any form. By standing on clear principles and setting red lines before any negotiations take place, China has underscored its nuanced strategy that balances the imperative of safeguarding its core interests with a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve differences, while championing a more equitable and democratic international order. And while it is willing to address the concerns of U.S. industry and consumers, it remains vigilant about the sincerity of the U.S. side and seeks tangible actions that validate good intentions.
The unilateral tariff measures of the U.S. have had an adverse impact not only on the U.S. itself but also on the global community. The U.S. should adhere to the international economic and trade rules that the rest of the international community abides by, demonstrate sincerity in conducting mutually beneficial trade, and rectify its misguided view of international relations as being zero-sum.
On May 7, Global Times, an English newspaper under the People’s Daily, also published an editorial. The title of the editorial is “The world is now examining the sincerity and integrity of the U.S.” It said:
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that tariffs would "come down substantially" once an agreement is reached with China, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also acknowledged that current high tariffs are "the equivalent of an embargo" and emphasized that the trade war "isn't unsustainable." These statements reflect Washington's strategic anxiety and internal conflict: On one hand, it seeks to extract benefits through maximum pressure; on the other, it fears completely tearing apart the globalization progress, which could cause irreparable damage to the U.S. economy.
In contrast to the U.S. side's repeated flip-flopping, the Chinese side has maintained a responsible and steady position toward bilateral ties and the world. While China's firm opposition to the U.S. abuse of tariffs remains unchanged, its willingness to sit down with the U.S. for talks is, in itself, a demonstration of goodwill and sincerity.
Washington’s willingness to abandon its “welding the tariff stick” mentality and engage on trade issues with fairness, respect, and mutual benefit will be a true test of its sincerity and integrity. The key to whether these talks can achieve substantial progress lies in whether the U.S. side can demonstrate sincerity and engage in dialogue with China on the basis of mutual respect and equal consultation. The whole world is closely watching the China-U.S. talks and observing U.S. actions as well as its words; the "actions" refer to the substantive measures to be taken by the U.S.
As the world's two largest economies, the U.S. and China gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. The U.S. has greatly benefited from international trade, enjoying affordable goods from around the world while maintaining a clear advantage in high-value-added sectors such as finance, technology, and services. Overall, China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is balanced and mutually beneficial. The prosperity of the U.S. relies on the health and vitality of the global economy.
The views don't necessarily reflect those of BeijingReviewDossier.
