China acting in defense of international trade

It goes against the grain to repeat something already told more than once, especially when it has been told so clearly by so many. But it seems that needs must, for the United States continues to turn a deaf ear to warnings that its unilateral actions risk damaging global trade and undermining the global trade system.

China is being forced to react to protect its legitimate interests in the face of the unjustified provocations of the US, but in doing so it is also championing rules-based trade, as the Trump administration has resorted to domestic laws to target Chinese goods with tariffs, a move that runs roughshod over the international trade rules of the World Trade Organization. Those in the world in favor of free trade should support China in its efforts to counter the error of the US' ways.

Jittery investors in the US have signaled the growing anxiety around the world that the two largest economies are exchanging range-finding fire ahead of a full-on trade war after China had to state once again that its behavior is not malleable to the unreasonable whims of the Trump administration.