The Trump administration was really caught off guard this time.
When I swung the tariff stick for so long, I didn't expect to force myself to the corner.
The Canadian government took the lead in "turning against".
The news revealed by Ottawa made the White House very nervous - they are considering reducing or even completely exempting tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
This decision directly slapped Trump's wishful thinking on trying to win over his allies to jointly control China.
As one of the most important trading partners of the United States, Canada's statement is undoubtedly sending a signal to the international community: After the United States engaging in a trade war, there is no good result.
The news in Mexico has made even worse.
On September 12, Mexican President Sinbaum held a special press conference to publicly clarify that the new tariff policy she mentioned previously was not specifically targeted at China.
She also specifically emphasized the friendly state of China-Mexico relations. In Trump's ears, he was simply saying "We don't want to make trouble with you, the United States."
The most serious thing is the opposition in the United States.
The American Soybean Association directly puts pressure on the White House to demand that the Trump administration improve Sino-US relations.
These bean farmers have really hard life. Without this big customer in China, their soybeans are piled up in the warehouse and they are about to rot in the field.
Even Musk can't help but complain on social media: "The US government is basically over."
Faced with such a situation, the Trump administration finally couldn't stand it.
Just a few hours after these bad news came, the White House officially announced a major news: Treasury Secretary Bescent will go to Spain to hold a new round of trade negotiations with Chinese representatives.
How has this decision come in a hurry can be seen from the timing.
In the first three rounds of negotiations, the US can still choose places like Geneva, London, and Sweden with ease, and it is very formal every time.
This time I was set directly in Spain, obviously in a hurry to meet and discuss things.
The Trump administration is in a bad situation now.
37 trillion US dollars of debt are like a mountain pressing on the US economy. The tariff war has fought for so long, not only has it not made China surrender, but it has made the United States' own businesses and farmers complain.
What's even more terrible is that The allies that were originally counting on began to have their own small abacus.
In contrast, China's attitude seems much calmer.
In the face of the sudden negotiation olive branch from the US, Beijing expressed its willingness to accept it.
But this acceptance is more like a polite response than an urgent need.
This kind of calmness is confident.
In the first three rounds of negotiations, China and the United States faced each other in a tit-for-tat manner and did not make any substantial progress.
China has never let go of key issues such as rare earth exports, and has expressed its bottom line and principles. But the US comes with full demands every time, but ends up returning empty-handed.
Next week, China and Mexico will also hold special consultations on tariffs.
This arrangement is actually very interesting. Just when the United States, Mexico and Canada were trying to put pressure on China on trade issues, China took the initiative to negotiate directly with Mexico.
This operation makes the Trump administration more passive.
The problems reflected in this incident are actually much deeper than they seem.
The United States is facing unprecedented challenges through tariff wars and pressure from allies.
The change in attitudes in Canada and Mexico is not accidental.
As the United States' neighbors and important trading partners, they know more than anyone the cost of following the United States to engage in trade protectionism.
The huge attraction of the Chinese market and the resilience of the Chinese economy have forced these countries to reconsider their positions.
Differences in the United States are also increasing.
Bean farmers, manufacturing companies, and consumers are all suffering from the negative impact of the tariff war.
The dissatisfaction among these interest groups is growing, putting huge political pressure on the Trump administration.
From the current situation, the upcoming fourth round of Sino-US trade negotiations faces a completely different background from the first three rounds.
The US came with pressure this time, while China is more confident and calm.
This change in power balance may affect the direction of negotiations.
China's persistence in key areas such as rare earths and its proactive attack on relations with other countries have shown stronger bargaining chips.
The Trump administration is now facing a dilemma: if you continue to be tough, you may face "betrayal" from more allies and greater pressure at home; if you choose to compromise, you will be criticized for being weak.
This situation puts the US in a rather disadvantageous position in the upcoming negotiations.
To be honest, it is not surprising to see such a development.
Trade wars have never been a good thing. It is a matter of hurting the enemy for a thousand times and hurting himself for eight hundred times. After doing it for a long time, there will always be a price to pay.
The Trump administration's passive situation this time has actually laid the foreshadowing.
China's strategy has always been clear: We do not take the initiative to raise trouble, but we are not afraid of trouble. Never let go of the principles you should adhere to, and you are willing to sit down and talk when it is time to cooperate.
This concentration and wisdom are fully reflected in this game.
In the long run, as the two largest economies in the world, win-win cooperation is the right way.
This time the Trump administration's active show of goodwill may be a turning point.
Of course, real problem solving requires both parties to show sincerity and wisdom.
Information source:
Mexican Presidential Office Official Statement: President Sinbaum's speech on clarifying tariff policy
U.S. Treasury Department Announcement: Treasury Secretary Becent's Spanish Trade Negotiation Itinerary
American Soybean Association Statement: Formal petition to request the government to improve Sino-US trade relations
Canadian Government Internal News: Considering Adjustment of Electric Vehicle Tariff Policy on China
Tesla CEO Musk Social Media: Public Comment on the Current Situation of the U.S. Government
Official record of Sino-US trade negotiations: Results of the three rounds of talks between Geneva, London, Sweden
U.S. Treasury bond statistics: US $37 trillion debt scale announced by the Treasury Department
