US Strategy to Isolate China Faces Skepticism and Potential Backlash

In March 2025, domestically manufactured vehicles were pictured at Yantai Port in Shandong Province, awaiting export. In 2024, China's total port cargo throughput reached 1.76 billion tons, with container throughput reaching 330 million twenty-foot equivalent units, solidifying its position as the world's leading port.

Reports indicate that the United States is attempting to isolate China through ongoing tariff negotiations. This involves pressuring US trading partners to limit their economic engagement with China. However, experts suggest this strategy is unlikely to succeed, as countries must consider the uncertainties of shifting US policies and weigh short-term savings against the long-term benefits of continued cooperation with China.

US officials have reportedly requested over seventy nations to restrict their economic ties with China in exchange for reduced US tariffs. These requests include prohibiting goods transshipped via China, deterring Chinese firms from relocating to avoid US tariffs, and rejecting low-cost Chinese industrial products. This strategy is reportedly led by the Treasury Secretary.

The US government has not officially confirmed or denied these reports. Experts believe that this plan could backfire, potentially isolating the US itself as other nations become wary of Washington's unpredictability. The strategy is seen as economic coercion, forcing trading partners to choose between China and the US.

The reported plan is viewed as disruptive to the international trade order and a violation of fundamental trade principles. Countries will need to consider the uncertainty of cooperating with the US against the stability of maintaining economic ties with China.

The US has repeatedly altered its tariff policies. After introducing a "reciprocal tariff" on global trading partners, the administration paused it for a period, retained a baseline tariff on nations other than China, and increased duties on Chinese imports.

Analysts suggest that even if the US persuades other nations to reduce trade with China through tariff reductions, the outcome may not meet Washington's expectations. Countries face a dilemma over whether short-term savings outweigh the long-term benefits of continued cooperation with Beijing.

The US has faced growing criticism from its allies over its tariff policies. The European Union has threatened retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of American products if trade negotiations fail. Canada has already responded to US tariffs by imposing duties on certain vehicles. Public sentiment in Canada is also turning against the US.

The UN Secretary-General has warned that trade wars are extremely negative, with no winners and everyone tending to lose. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson has stated that protectionism will lead nowhere and that the tariff policies hurt the US and other countries. China urges the US to resolve issues through dialogue based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit.