The fourth round of US-China trade negotiations began yesterday in Madrid (until September 17th ), with the announcement by the US Treasury Department that the talks in the Spanish capital will cover “key national security, economic and trade issues of mutual interest, including TikTok and cooperation on money laundering networks that threaten both the US and China”.
The “Madrid round” of negotiations was preceded by a week of harsh warnings from Washington to its partners in the West, that it is time to build a “tariff wall” towards China (and India).
“China has strong control, even grip over Russia: these powerful tariffs will break that grip ” wrote US President Donald Trump on Saturday, in a letter addressed to NATO members and “the world”. In that letter to the 32-nation military alliance, Trump suggested they unite in imposing “50 to 100 percent” tariffs on China (and Russia). Mainly because of the trade of Siberian oil, a lucrative business that – according to both sides of the Atlantic – allows Moscow to finance the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“In any case, I’m ready to ‘go’, when you are. Just say: when,” announced Trump, doubly conditioning American joining with “major sanctions” against Moscow. First of all, by demanding that all NATO members stop buying Russian oil, and at the same time collectively introduce “50-100 percent” tariffs on China and India.
China reacted swiftly on Saturday.
Namely, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his visit to Slovenia on Saturday: “War cannot solve problems, and sanctions will only complicate them. China does not participate in wars or plan wars, what it does is to encourage peace negotiations and promote political resolution of hot spots through dialogue,” Wang said after a conversation with Tanja Fajon, head of Slovenia’s diplomacy.
It is unknown in what depth the American-Chinese trade negotiations will proceed at the Santa Cruz Palace (on the photo, headquarters of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Madrid.
It seems obvious that Washington is trying to close the ranks of the West rapidly.
Namely, on September 10, Trump proposed to the EU that they first introduce “100 percent tariffs on India and China” (due to the purchase of Russian oil), so America will follow them. Then on September 12, Scott Bessent, US Treasury Secretary, suggested to the G7 membership that they “immediately impose 50-100 percent tariffs on China and India (due to the purchase of Russian oil)” and other measures.
How should the EU, G7 and NATO position themselves towards Washington’s latest tariffs proposals against China? Unanimity seems to be uncertain in advance.
“Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar on Saturday praised China, as a responsible big country, for adhering to multilateralism and setting an example for the international community,” reported China’s CGTN.
Be that as it may, the puzzle is not only whether and when the members of the EU, G7 and NATO will position themselves regarding the latest US tariffs initiatives. It is also: what is Washington’s next move, when those answers arrive?
