China has reacted with deep skepticism to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent shift in tone, which included promises of significantly reducing tariffs on Chinese goods and a more conciliatory approach in ongoing trade tensions. Despite the apparent olive branch, Chinese officials and social media users mocked Trump’s statements, framing them as signs of retreat and weakness.

Trump announced on Tuesday that tariffs would be “substantially reduced,” pledging a “kinder” approach to negotiations and even avoiding references to the pandemic. But Beijing was unmoved. Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yandong stated, “Whoever tied the bell must untie it,” demanding a full removal of all unilateral U.S. tariffs.

Furthermore, China denied any ongoing negotiations. While Trump insisted that talks were continuing daily, Beijing labeled that claim as “fake news,” flatly rejecting any current contact with Washington on the tariff issue.

Analysts See Signs of American Weakness

Chinese analysts argue that Trump’s softer tone stems from internal pressures and efforts to calm jittery markets. “China doesn’t trust Trump’s intentions,” said Wang Yiwei of Renmin University, citing Washington’s fluctuating stances and growing domestic pressures.

Wu Xinbo of Fudan University echoed that view, stating Beijing is “in no rush” to negotiate and can withstand further economic pressure. “If we delay a bit, we might get better results,” he said.

Domestic Pressure on Trump

For months, Beijing has projected strength. Just last week, President Xi Jinping toured three Southeast Asian nations to reinforce China’s image as a stable political and economic partner. Still, with China’s economy not as robust as it once was, some experts believe negotiations will eventually be necessary.

Trump’s change in rhetoric reportedly came after a meeting with leaders from major U.S. retail companies, who expressed concern over the economic impact of tariffs and the uncertainty they bring.

Within China, Trump’s remarks were met with ridicule. The hashtag “Trump is chickening out” went viral on Weibo, garnering over 150 million views. “If they don’t completely lift the tariffs, there’s no point in talking!” one user commented.

Conclusion

Despite Beijing’s tough official stance, some Chinese experts have voiced concerns over the impact of tariffs on China’s already vulnerable economy. An anonymous source told CNN that the pressure on exports and employment could spark social unrest and threaten the government’s legitimacy.