Hypocrisy
On Thursday, Beijing launched a sharp critique against the United States, accusing it of hypocrisy in response to President Joe Biden’s recent remarks labeling China as “xenophobic” and accusing it of unfair trade practices.
This accusation came from Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, during a press conference where he questioned whether Biden’s criticisms were self-reflective, asking, “I would like to ask him: are you talking about China or the US itself?”
The controversy stems from a speech delivered by President Biden on Wednesday to union members in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state.
During his address at the headquarters of the United Steelworkers union in Pittsburgh, Biden vehemently criticized Chinese trade tactics, particularly in the steel sector, accusing Chinese firms of cheating.
“They’re not competing, they’re cheating. We’ve seen the damage here in America,” Biden declared, eliciting applause from the audience.
He further criticized Chinese steel companies for not needing to worry about profitability due to significant subsidies from the Chinese government.
Amid his campaign efforts to appeal to blue-collar voters, Biden announced his intention to request the US Trade Representative to consider tripling the tariff rates on Chinese steel and aluminum if it was proven that China was engaging in anti-competitive practices.
Additionally, he labeled the actions of the Chinese as “xenophobic,” emphasizing that while he was not seeking conflict with China, he demanded fair competition.
These comments come against a backdrop of strained relations between Beijing and Washington, which have seen tensions over various issues including technology, trade, human rights, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.
Despite these ongoing disputes, relations experienced a temporary stabilization following a November meeting in San Francisco between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which both parties described as moderately successful.
The leaders continued their dialogue with a telephone call earlier this month, clashing over US trade restrictions on technology and issues concerning Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
However, they concurred on the visit of two high-level US officials to China; US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has already completed her visit last week, and top diplomat Antony Blinken is scheduled to arrive in Beijing soon.
Amid these diplomatic engagements, the US announced an investigation into Chinese trade practices in the shipbuilding, maritime, and logistics sectors earlier this week.
Reacting to the probe, China’s Commerce Ministry condemned the investigation, claiming it was “full of false accusations,” misinterpreting normal trade and investment activities as threats to US national security and corporate interests, and unfairly attributing the United States’ industrial challenges to Chinese policies.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
