Editor’s Note:
This commentary, written by Shang-Jin Wei, a U.S.-based economist and former Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank, examines how China might respond to President Trump’s tariff strategy. While the author writes from a global economic perspective, his piece sheds light on the strategic challenges facing China and the broader consequences of U.S. trade policy. We share it to help our readers understand the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship from multiple vantage points.
This commentary, written by Shang-Jin Wei, a U.S.-based economist and former Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank, examines how China might respond to President Trump’s tariff strategy. While the author writes from a global economic perspective, his piece sheds light on the strategic challenges facing China and the broader consequences of U.S. trade policy. We share it to help our readers understand the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship from multiple vantage points.
By Shang-Jin Wei - Project Syndicate | April 17, 2025
After eschewing tit-for-tat retaliatory measures against the United States during previous trade skirmishes, China is now responding in kind to the second Trump administration's tariffs. But while such a strategy makes sense, Chinese leaders also need to be thinking about off-ramps.
