Several issues that need to be further clarified about Sino-US trade frictions

3. Will unilateralism work?

Holding the mindset of "America First", some people in the United States who worship unilateralism put domestic law above international law, and use unilateral measures to suppress other countries and provoke economic and trade frictions. While on the other hand, they publicly stand against globalization and ignore the multilateral rules and the multilateral trading system by withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or Iran Nuclear Deal, the Paris Agreement on climate change, UNESCO, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, etc… Their unilateralist behaviors and the slogan of "America First" have become a set of "inherently self-consistent logic".

On the surface, the promotion of unilateralism seems identical to "anti-globalization" and "isolationism". However, this is only on one side. More importantly, some people in the United States pursue unilateralism because multilateralism of equal cooperation does not conform to their strategy of "America First" and intention of hegemonic dominance. Therefore, they are aggressively making unilateral actions and suppressing other countries in international competitions, in order to keep "America First" and prevent other countries from catching up. John R. Bolton, a national security adviser to President Trump, has said that, if I were doing the Security Council today, I'd have one permanent member, the United States, because that's the real reflection of the distribution of power in the world.

The statement is a real reflection of US intention of hegemonic dominance of the world.

In today's world, the science and technology revolution and productivity growth have deepened the international division of labor. The socialization of production has become more extensive and deeper than ever before. Economic globalization has also grown to be an irresistible trend, which has accelerated the globalization of trade, investment, and the mobility of factors of productions. The world is seeing increasing cooperation and communications, and competition among various countries. No country can dominate in the world market when rejecting competition or seeking monopoly. That is an objective law of economics that no one can break.

With increasing interactions and dependence among countries and the rise of emerging markets and developing countries, global powers have undergone great changes. The multi-polarization of the world and the democratization of international relations have become irreversible trends of the times. The idea of monopolizing international affairs has lagged behind the times, and such actions are doomed to fail. As to global communications, countries should uphold the principle of equal talks and decisions shall be made after negotiation. Any country that prioritizes its benefits, breaks international laws, and suppresses other countries is also doomed to fail.

Pursuing unilateralism and hegemony will not work. This is the basic consensus of the international community and many Americans are aware of it. In the beginning of this century, a famous American international political scholar predicted that on some day, the United States will seem invincible, but it's never like the same one day after. The rise of other countries, the eroding of US power, and its unilateral approach of internationalism will make it a short-lived superpower. Riding the tide of economic globalization, a country will see greater opportunities of development only by adhering to openness and cooperation.