Negotiate in Good Faith and Don’t Make Trouble from Nothing

During the 12th round of high-level Chinese-U.S. economic and trade negotiations, some Americans got sidetracked and did not focus on the important issues. They complained that China constantly seeks to alter agreements for its own benefit, that China is just waiting for more opportunities to undermine the United States, as it has for the past 30 years. Is this sidetracking a necessary step in reaching an agreement? The answer is, of course, no.

Some people in the United States go to great lengths to control what is seen and heard by the public, and they do this with no clear logic. They are motivated by nothing more than maximizing profits. These Americans now seem to have amnesia: it is as if they have forgotten that they promised to renew these economic and trade negotiations on the basis of equality and mutual respect. Instead, they dare to push only their negotiating opponents to make concessions. As everyone knows, treating China in this manner can only lead to useless results because China is a country that can't afford to sacrifice too much. China cannot make unreasonable concessions because it is determined to safeguard its core interests and the fundamental interests of the Chinese people. People in the United States should strive to rid themselves of any unrealistic fantasies about this issue.

It is important to point out that Americans have never had to fight for their own priorities down to the last moment of negotiations. They proclaim to the world that the United States will never suffer, yet they continually claim that China intends to undermine them. However, the United States has been undermining itself for the last 30 years; that is, the U.S. has suffered a lot. International relations are not child's play, and we must firmly point out that this mentality blatantly ignores the facts and creates trouble from nothing. China has never sought to plunder the U.S., and furthermore, there is no such thing as plundering. Will the United States be ruined by China in under 30 years, despite the fact it has occupied the top of the global food chain for decades? There is a scale in the hearts of the people of the world, and it differentiates between true and false as clearly as black and white. China sincerely hopes to explore and develop mutually beneficial relationships with all countries in the world. This is an objective fact recognized and welcomed by the entire world.

Regarding the development of Chinese-U.S. economic and trade relations, the leaders of China and the United States agree that both the Chinese and American people are eager to cooperate in the manner determined by the two heads of these states. “Had we not barred Chinese companies from putting their money to work in our economy, they would be pumping about $80 billion annually into expanding the U.S. private sector and creating jobs in America.” This analysis by Charles Freeman, Jr., former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia and President Richard Nixon’s chief Chinese interpreter, illustrates the problem. Fundamentally speaking, Chinese-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is based on mutual benefit. The foundation of the friendship between the Chinese and Americans is a combination of sincere friendship and cooperative action. This basis cannot be eliminated by those seeking to undermine it.

In what ways does the U.S. want to collaborate with the Chinese in embarking down the road toward resuming economic and trade negotiations? What actions should be taken to respond to the expectations of the Chinese and American people, as well as the people of the world? While waiting for the answers to these questions, we should revisit an old Chinese saying: “The language and looks of self-conceit will keep people at a distance of 1,000 miles.” A piece of advice to Americans: maintain a clear head, self-respect and faith. If you want to speak with the Chinese, you must speak sincerely and avoid creating trouble from nothing. If you want to reach a positive outcome, you must look at the huge intersection of Chinese and U.S. interests. Only by maintaining a solid cooperative partnership and working hard to solve each other's problems can China and the U.S. finally achieve a mutually beneficial result.