Recently, a China-U.S. economic and trade talks held in Madrid, Spain, quietly sounded the global economy's "concentration drum."
This two-day talks, no rounds, no big moves, no reciprocal accusations, and finally the nine words of the Chinese representatives, sounds strange, but in the long-strung string of the Sino-U.S. relationship, it is enough to let the whole world relax a little.
The Chinese side is straightforward, with deep intentions behind it.
This meeting is a continuation of the previous three rounds of negotiations, and the previous several meetings, although continued communication, did not bring any substantial results.
Everyone was around the circle, a lot of words, but did not want to go out first, especially that conversation in Stockholm, after the end left only the phrase of "continuous communication", listening to it as if there was no talk.
This time differently, the Chinese side clearly used the "realized basic framework consensus" after the meeting as a settlement, this is the first time to put the two words "framework" out.
The two sides not only talked, but reached a basic understanding on key issues such as TikTok data governance, reducing bilateral investment barriers, and negotiating high-tech trade rules.
Why the Chinese side speaks so hard, in fact, this is precisely the Chinese consistent style, not much to say, but every word counts, neither exaggerates the results, nor easily promises, grasp the dimension.
In this way, it can give a clear signal to the outside world, without leaving too many operational gaps to the negotiating opponent, that is to say, it is both showing sincerity and keeping the bottom line.
And in these nine words, the most important word is actually “framework,” which represents not a paper agreement, but a foundation for continuing to talk down.
This statement, to a large extent, shows that the two sides have gone from the previous kind of touch-down contact, to the stage where you can sit down and talk about the details, although it is not far from the final "cover" time, but at least no longer is empty.
The global market is afraid of the US.
The impact of the talks, is not only the affairs of the two countries, the size of the Sino-U.S. economy is there, no one can avoid whom, the two countries once the effort, the global supply chain, investment market, export enterprises will suffer.
So when China released this signal of "framework consensus", the first reaction from the outside world was not a surprise, but a relaxation.
Everyone is too clear that if these two great powers go back and forth, the entire global economy will have to struggle and talk about something, no matter how much, is good news for everyone.
Especially in the current situation, the international economy would not have recession, many countries are still struggling with the recovery period after the epidemic, slow development, high inflation, more risks, at this time, China and the United States can ease a little in economic trade, undoubtedly gives the market a chance to breathe.
Many observers pointed out that this time China and the United States did not fall into a quarrel, but rather advanced the negotiations in a more calm and pragmatic way, indicating that at least in the economic and trade field, the two sides realized a real problem: cooperation costs are high, but the cost of confrontation is greater.
The U.S. keeps small moves, and China keeps pace.
However, backwards, the process of negotiations is not easy, just two days before the negotiation, the United States suddenly included twenty Chinese semiconductor companies on the export control list.
This approach, in fact, is very familiar, before the negotiation, first came to "kick" and wanted to use pressure in exchange for the negotiating advantage.
China then announced the launch of anti-dumping review, this is the typical reciprocal response, you move me back, each guard their own interests, do not let the other side score easily, but the Chinese attitude is always very clear: you can talk, but can not be forced to make concessions.
After the meeting, Li also stressed that the principle issue cannot be allowed, this statement, in fact, is also drawing a red line for the American side: talk back, don't expect me to unilaterally be soft.
Thro the process, China has not followed the U.S. side, nor has it played, but has steadily advanced the negotiations, this way of handling is not soft, but stable.
The more complicated the situation is, the more it is necessary to hold the rhythm in your own hands, not to be judged by the other party's rhythm, not to be influenced by external interference.
From the pace of this negotiation, China has not only stabilized its position, but also mastered the initiative, it is you who pick up the issue, I respond, but I do not turn my face to you, I say "framework consensus", but I have not finished talking, this is both attitude and strategy.
Outside of trade is a “test water” of big-power relations.
On the surface, this is an economic and trade negotiation, but behind it is actually a "test water" for the overall relationship between China and the United States.
In recent years, the friction between China and the United States has continued, especially in high-tech, energy, data and other sensitive fields, with increasing differences, and trade is part of it, but it is the most realistic, the most direct and the most problematic part.
Through the Madrid talks, the two sides are clearly trying to find a more appropriate way to deal with each other, neither to compromise the bottom line nor to turn their faces completely, but to try to reach some operational arrangements on specific issues.
This at least guarantees a “buffer mattress” when conflicts arise on other issues.
The four words "framework consensus", in fact, are the prototype of this "buffer mat", it is not the end point, but can be used as a starting point for rebuilding trust.
Of course, this trust is not possible at once, and there are a lot of details to be discussed, such as data security, investment access, technology exports, etc., each involving huge interests, and also have their respective political sensitivities.
But at least this conversation proved one thing: not not being unable to talk, but just finding the right way.
Direction is more important than sound.
No agreement was signed, no joint statement, not even too many details were disclosed at the talks, but this does not mean less profound talk, on the contrary, the more this "low-focus treatment" shows the complexity of the problem.
The Chinese side this time chose the "more and less" way, not to hide, but to avoid prior qualitative, to the subsequent operation to leave elasticity, after all, a paper agreement in the absence of discussion of details, the more said, but more constrained.
Not by verbal statements, but by practical actions to win space, in the end, no matter how the outside world is interpreted, in the end, it is still to see if you can talk about the results, can reduce friction, stabilize the external environment.
From this perspective, these nine words, although short, represent a clear direction, which does not solve all problems, but gives a foundation for continuing to move forward.
This foundation, is not obtained by the slogan, but in the constant game, step by step struggle out.
At present, looking at this Sino-U.S. talks, there is no fire and fire, no intense dispute, but quietly pushed a step forward, the Chinese side's phrase "has reached a basic framework consensus", said lightly, but through the scale.
It was a signal release and an initiative, not expecting a conversation to solve all the difficulties, but at least showing the willingness of both countries to follow the path of dialogue.
In the moment of global economic turbulence, the most sensitive line between China and the United States can stabilize, for the world, has been a difficult certainty.
And this certainty is not about who wins who, but that everyone finally understands that going to the table is much more reliable than the Cold War confrontation.
reference
Both sides reached a basic framework consensus on properly solving TikTok-related issues through cooperation.
2025-09-15 23:22 · Central TV News