China’s tariff plan: Xi Jinping plays smart domestic politics

CHINA ADVISORY - Report 23 Mar 2018 by Andrew Collier

Beijing’s response to Trump’s tariffs was an astute brand of politics. Both sides are playing as much to internal politics as to their opposing countries. Trump is shoring up his political base by supporting the steel industry. Xi Jinping is wisely attacking states harboring Trump’s supporters, but he is also avoiding serious damage to the Chinese economy and preventing harm to state-owned firms or to the politically powerful urban centers. We anticipate continued attacks on Trump’s rural base by China. Meanwhile, the “third rail” for both countries – technology – could be broached through Trump’s use of CFIUS to attack Chinese technology.

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