China hawks must learn to see reason

Editor's Note: Violating the consensus reached by the presidents of China and the US on the sidelines of the Osaka G20 Summit in June, some in the United States have escalated the trade frictions with China. Zhong Sheng, a columnist for People's Daily, comments:

It is an international practice to honor the consensus reached between two heads of state－more so if the consensus can help resolve bilateral economic and trade disputes.

Only by fully understanding the massive overlapping of interests between China and the US and recognizing their economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial can the two countries resolve their economic and trade issues through consultation on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

China has always advocated resolving economic and trade issues with the US through talks, and has been consulting with the US to implement the consensus reached by the two presidents and the agreements between the two countries' negotiating teams.

Responding to the concerns of the US, China completed the legal regulation process for fentanyl substances in just four months and formally implemented it on May 1. After the Osaka meeting between the two presidents, in which the US side hoped China would increase imports from the US, Chinese companies struck a series of deals in July to purchase soybeans, cotton, sorghum and other agricultural products from US suppliers.

But on Aug 1, the US accused China of failing to fulfill its commitment to buy US farm products as an excuse to raise tariffs on additional Chinese goods. A report on exports from the US Department of Agriculture, however, shows a Chinese company bought American soybeans on the same day. So, who is violating the consensus?

If the US wants to reach a win-win agreement with China, it must respect the consensus reached between the two presidents, work with China on an equal basis and mutual respect, and return to the right track of consultation.