The United States recently announced it would impose additional 10 percent tariffs on all remaining $300 billion worth of Chinese imports that were to come into effect on Sept 1. Although it has since said it will suspend the tariffs on items such as consumer electronics and toys for the holiday season, the move still breaches the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries in June.

In response to the irresponsible US action, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said that it will no longer rule out levying import duties on US agricultural products purchased after Aug 3.Meanwhile, Chinese enterprises have halted purchases of US agricultural products.

To achieve sound economic and trade relations between China and the US, it is necessary to promote cooperation.

However, the US has breached the commitments it has made at least four times since it first launched its trade attack on China in 2018. It has capriciously deviated from the trajectory of addressing trade issues with irresponsible actions at key points during the negotiations. Such actions have hurt the interests of both China and the US and exposed the global economy to risks that could have been avoided.

China, in contrast, has conducted its economic and trade negotiations with the US in good faith, exercised restraint and emphasized mutual respect. It attaches great importance to the sound development of Sino-US relations and seeks to expand common ground.

According to President Xi Jinping, there are a thousand reasons to make the Sino-US relationship work. However, the US seems intent on ignoring them and acting without restraint, in the process hurting China's national interests.

Since the foundation of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese people have coped with threats and safeguarded the country's national interests with staunch and rational countermeasures. Although China cherishes peaceful coexistence, it will not hesitate to strike back at threats should it be necessary.

China has handled the Sino-US trade frictions with prudence. It values Sino-US economic and trade cooperation and hopes to resolve the differences over their respective interests.

Since 1949, China has highlighted mutual exchanges based on sincerity while also launching countermeasures, when necessary. It has fully displayed its rationality, sincerity and goodwill in Sino-US economic and trade frictions since 2018.

However, trade talks between the two countries should not be dominated by the US. Equality and mutual respect need to be put into practice.

The US side needs to interpret China's responses objectively. Chinese enterprises' purchase of US agricultural products is not only to meet the country's practical needs but also for improving Sino-US relations. Halting China's purchase of US agricultural products is a clear signal and rational response to the US threat to impose additional tariffs and the "maximum pressure" it is seeking to apply.

Once the US gets back onto the right trajectory and adheres to the consensus reached at the Osaka Summit, China-US economic and trade exchanges are expected to be restored.

If the US continues to disregard that consensus it will only suffer more political and economic losses.

In contrast to the irresponsible action of the US, China has made steady efforts toward promoting the sound development of China-US relations and the global economy while adhering to appropriate and rational responses as a responsible major country.

The author is an associate professor with School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University. 

The author contributed this article to China Watch exclusively. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.

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