After heated trade and tariff talks at Geneva between China and US delegations, the latest joint statement between the countries naturally became a hot topic on both Chinese and global social media on 12 May.
The United States cancelled the tariffs from 8 and 9 April, and revised the tariff added on 2 April (“Liberation Day”). The 24% tariffs will be put on hold for 90 days, meaning China is in a similar situation to the rest of the world, apart from the UK, who has just welcomed a tariff deal with the US.
- #中美日内瓦经贸会谈联合声明 China-US Geneva trade talks joint statement: 240 million views on Weibo, ranking number 1 on the Hot Search list; 6.58 million views on Rednote, ranking number 3 on the Hot Topic list
- #中美相互24%关税90天内暂停实施 China and US pause 24% tariffs for 90 days: 350 million views on Weibo, ranking number 1 on the Hot Search list; 7.53 million views on Rednote, ranking number 3 on the Hot Topic list
Most netizens in the comments sections feel triumphant, making fun of the United States, especially over President Trump, “caving”. Some even made a connection between the talk’s outcome and Chinese jets and missiles showcased by Pakistan in its conflict with India, as if China’s military might had intimidated the US. Others, more cautious, argued that the current US tariff on China remains at 30%, and China’s on US goods at 10%, so it is hardly the big win it’s cracked up to be.
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