A Chinese official has asserted that the United States would not prevail in a bilateral trade war, following Donald Trump’s tough stance on Beijing during a debate with President Joe Biden. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the United States, emphasized the mutual benefits of China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, stating that “no one will win a trade war or a tariff war.” Liu cautioned that protectionist measures and arbitrary curbs would only disrupt normal trade flows and the stability of the production and supply chain, which benefits no one.
Trump had defended his proposal for a 10 percent tariff on all incoming U.S. goods, arguing it would increase costs for foreign exporters rather than domestic consumers. He claimed this would compel countries like China to pay more, reducing the U.S. trade deficit and increasing leverage for other negotiations. Throughout the debate, Trump mentioned China frequently, criticizing Biden’s perceived leniency towards Beijing and highlighting his own administration’s hardline policies.
The debate underscored the broader geopolitical competition between the world’s two largest economies, with both Trump and Biden acknowledging China’s growing economic, military, and technological influence as a significant challenge to U.S. global dominance. Liu Pengyu, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the repeated references to China, stating that China does not interfere in other countries’ internal affairs and hopes for continued sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.
During the debate, Trump accused Biden of failing to achieve any progress with China and of having the largest trade deficit in history with China. He also repeated unfounded claims that Biden was compromised by Beijing. Biden, in response, defended his record, noting the continuation of some Trump-era tariffs on China and emphasizing his administration’s firm stance on China-related issues.
Additionally, the debate touched on other international concerns, with Trump criticizing Biden’s approach to the Paris Climate Accord and the leaders of China, North Korea, and Russia. Trump suggested these leaders do not respect or fear Biden, whereas Biden argued that another Trump presidency could increase the likelihood of global conflict.
Reactions from other countries, including Russia and Iran, as well as media from U.S. allies, highlighted the international significance of the debate, with many focusing on Biden’s performance and the implications of the candidates’ policies on global affairs.