Patience needed in China-US ties, CPPCC member advises

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The annual political season in Beijing is focusing attention on potential economic friction between China and the United States.

But Jia Qingguo, dean of the School of International Studies at Peking University and a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at this year’s Two Sessions in Beijing, has some advice for China’s leaders as they consider the future of economic relations with Washington: have patience.

Donald Trump, like many new presidents, made a lot of sometimes controversial campaign promises that will be impossible to keep, Jia told CGTN.

“In many cases, those campaign promises are not realistic,” he said. “When he does something to honor his campaign promises, it causes friction between the two countries.”

“Usually this period will take one and a half to two years,” Jia added. “Donald Trump’s case is not an exception. So we have to be patient.”

Trump threatened during the campaign to impose 45-percent tariffs on Chinese goods. He also called China a “grand champion” currency manipulator. China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the claims, saying the country had “no intention of deliberately devaluing its currency to gain a trade advantage.” And Jia agrees.

“Trump’s idea is outdated and wrong,” he said, adding “the real situation is that the Chinese government is trying to make the RMB not depreciate too fast.”

Jia said a period of rhetoric and bravado is normal for Trump to set himself apart from his predecessor. He predicted that Trump will realize sooner or later that cooperation with China is in the interest of both countries.