The New York Times, citing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) statistics, pointed out recently that China's product quality, though not as good as Canada's, is perfect in comparison with that of other developing countries. However, this highly authoritative judgment didn't quench wild-running public criticism of Chinese commodities. So, why some Americans keep finding fault with China on trade issues?
The overriding reason is soaring fiscal deficit and debts (internal and external) driven up by spending in Iraq, and foreign trade deficit, especially that with China, enlarged. This attracted wide attention from politicians, media and unknowing consumers. Therefore some politicians believe a China topic can divert voters' dissatisfaction from the failed Iraqi policy.
Secondly, a China with its completely different system, rapid economic growth after WTO accession and ever refreshing foreign trade records is unacceptable to some American politicians who still cling to Cold War mentality. China is also the second largest creditor nation of the US, next only to Japan. So the US, worrying about pressure by the large amount of US dollar bonds China holds, has to shift the pressure to trade.
Besides, despite US acknowledgement of benefits from trade with China, different voices can still be heard. Some congressmen even went so far as proposing to cut normal trade relations with China, fearing that China might weaken US attractiveness to the developing world. The result is, the harder China strives to raise product quality, the higher American requirements become.
It is widely known that China as a developing nation contributed significantly to world economy. The government has not only made promises on product safety but taken supervisory measures. China's food exports are now 99 percent qualified. The State Council decided not long ago to set up a special leading team on product quality and food safety to deal with major problems in this regard. It seems, however, no matter how much China does, it can never satisfy the demands by some biased US congressmen.
The American history easily reveals a tradition of trade protectionism. It is fueled today by a trade deficit that stays stubbornly high. As the only superpower after the Cold War, the US cannot tolerate challenge to its hegemony position. The affluent US, it seems, is not used to reflecting on itself but easily demands concessions from others. In fact, the US contributed much to the enlarging trade deficit with China, and the situation will continue if Washington doesn't reform current consumption mode and lift restrictions on high-tech product and technology export to China.
The China-US trade rift reflects deep-rooted strategic distrust by some Americans about China, or we might say the rift itself serves the US strategy towards the nation. Therefore, so long as Washington clings to its old judgment trade disputes cannot be solved even if China revalues the RMB more and places more orders for US commodities.
The author Li Qingsi is associate professor with the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China; translated by People's Daily Online
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