The vast majority of American businessmen hope to improve their relations with China, and the Western trade war with China has created a "weak link". EU | Enterprises | United States
According to the website of the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong on July 5th, sources and analysts said that Washington is facing pressure from American companies to adjust its policy towards China. At present, the United States is seeking to restore economic exchanges with Beijing, but uncertainty still exists.
Several anonymous sources have stated that some American companies have been lobbying Washington to ease tensions. One of them said that European companies are doing the same thing to their governments.
Another source said that some European executives are also dissatisfied with the actions of the United States, as it seems to be dragging their country and businesses into an "unnecessary conflict".
The source also said, "I suspect that some governments of EU member states also feel the same way, because we have heard that one of the main reasons why the United States is trying to ease its actions now is pressure from the EU."
Lin Hansheng, an expert at consulting firm Asia Group, said that American companies can "feel comforted" as US and Chinese leaders are seeking ways to ease tensions and mitigate related impacts. This gives companies space to breathe.
Lin Hansheng also added that Musk, Gates, and other corporate executives visiting China have emphasized how important civil exchanges are in reducing misunderstandings between the United States and China.
He also pointed out that, however, the temporarily calm relationship may become noisy as Washington enters next year's election season.
Pei Ruidong, an expert at the World Association of Large Enterprises, said that the Biden administration seems to have taken a more in line with the EU's call, which is to mitigate the risks of relations with China rather than promoting complete decoupling.
He also said, "We have heard that the Biden administration hopes to adopt a more restrained and selective attitude towards imposing restrictions on China."
Ma Zhiang, Chief Global Trade Analyst at The Economist, believes that there is not enough political space within the United States for the Biden administration to consider lifting tariffs. But he pointed out that there are "simply too many connections" between the two largest economies.
He said that the United States has realized that it cannot promote comprehensive economic decoupling from China.
On July 5th, the website of the Russian weekly "Expert" analyzed that there were "weak links" in the Western trade war with China.
The article argues that, unlike their attitude towards Russia, the vast majority of American businessmen are very eager to improve their relations with China. This seems to be what the White House has been hoping for recently. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited China to try to "unfreeze" bilateral relations. US Treasury Secretary Yellen will also pay a 4-day visit to China.
The article points out that the relationship between China and the United States has never been smooth sailing. In the past, economic and trade cooperation prevented serious deterioration of bilateral relations. In recent years, competition between China and the United States in the high-tech field has intensified, and Beijing has actively participated in international affairs to counter Washington's attempts to contain China. During Biden's presidency, the level of Sino US relations dropped to a low point in about half a century.
The article states that the sudden drop in Sino US relations has caused great suffering for American companies. Several major companies have lobbied the White House to abandon unnecessary confrontation, unwilling to fall victim to the trade war.
European companies are also conducting similar operations. China is an important trading partner of the European Union, but Brussels has to follow Washington's policies. However, not only do many EU officials disagree with this, but some European countries also do not agree.
The article states that in China, both industry and official levels are committed to improving relations with the United States. Beijing has clearly stated that China will never seek to "decouple" from the outside world and hopes to maintain normal relations with all countries, including the United States.
Recently, some major American entrepreneurs have visited China frequently and received high-level receptions. These visits aim to revive the confidence of American companies in China.
This article suggests that the relationship between China and the United States may improve in the short or medium term, thereby avoiding the outbreak of military conflicts. But political and economic competition will not disappear. Of course, unlike the present, future confrontations will be manageable and controllable.
