On October 12, 2025, a diplomatic interaction that was originally thought to be “going out as it used to be” suddenly turned a turn, and U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer openly stated in Fox News that he felt “surprising” about China’s introduction of new rules on rare-earth exports, and was “frustrated” by the fact that the U.S. requested an emergency call, but was “rejected” by China.
On the same day, Trump fiercely shouted to impose a 100% tariff, and at the same time suddenly changed his mouth and said that he "hoped to help China". More coincidentally, Bloomberg broke the news that Switzerland was accelerating its closer relations with China. Behind this series of actions, there was a bigger structural change hidden: the script of Sino-US interaction was being rewritten.
A disrupted script
Greer's "accident" actually revealed a deeper disadaptation, with China announcing new rare-earth export regulations in early October, and the news emerged that the United States immediately learned from "open channels".
It also tried to "understand the situation" through temporary telephone communication, but this time, China did not "accept the move" as expected by the United States, but chose to remain silent.
From Greer's tone, it can be heard that the United States obviously did not expect that China would be so "cold handling", but if the timeline is turned back, the root of the problem has long been buried.
Just in September, the United States unilaterally increased export restrictions on chips to China and even proposed additional "port charges" on Chinese ships, which are in direct violation of the consensus of "avoiding escalation" in Madrid talks.
In this context, China's introduction of new rules on rare earths is not a sudden "retaliation", but a restrained and logical response. More importantly, this response method breaks the old routine of "US suppression, China explanation, and talk again".
China no longer "gives in" to dialogue without foundation, but expresses its position through actions: talks can be done, but it must be sincere and rules. Trump's reversal is more like a "emotional management out of control."
First, the rumor to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese products, then the "will to help China", only a few hours later, this statement sounds absurd, but actually reveals the deep anxiety of the U.S. on key resources such as rare earth.
Even Vice President Wance’s “cold” appeal can’t hide this: America’s strategy begins to be chaotic when it’s unable to speak on key issues.
psychological warfare
Greer's "complaint" on TV that China is unwilling to answer the phone is not only a diplomatic gesture, but also a well-designed public opinion operation.
Choosing to speak on a platform with strong domestic influence like Fox News is actually to use the loudspeaker of the media to create the international impression that "China is unwilling to communicate" and throw the responsibility of diplomatic deadlock on China.
In fact, this kind of operation is not new. Whenever the United States "takes the lead" in actual actions and the situation develops in an unfavorable direction, public opinion becomes a tool for them to shift their focus.
This time is not an exception, while putting pressure on the issues of chips and port charges, while trying to create the impression of "China does not cooperate" through the media, the purpose is clear: both to give the international community an explanation, and to give domestic politics a ladder.
But this time, China’s response was extremely stable, with no emotional response and no rush to clarify, but with institutional policies and a calm diplomatic rhythm, taking the initiative in their own hands.
Rare-earth new rules have chapters, rejection of temporary phone calls is also a clear attitude, communication is not a problem, but must be carried out on an equal basis, the U.S. side is good at creating a sense of "confrontation - negotiation - confrontation" rhythm, but China is obviously no longer willing to cooperate with this rhythm.
Behind this strategic determination is actually the dual protection of global rules and one's own rights and interests. It is not that we don't want to talk about it, but that we need to talk meaningfully; it is not that we don't want to cooperate, but that we need to cooperate with dignity.
From this perspective, this "telephone storm" is not only a diplomatic detail, but more like a psychological war. Whoever can master the rhythm can gain a firm foothold in the game.
The Switzerland round.
Just as the "power refusal" incident between the United States and China continued to ferment, Bloomberg released a lot of news: Switzerland is accelerating the pace of cooperation with China. This is not just a normal diplomatic advancement, but the most direct response to the U.S."high tariff policy."
According to reports, the average tariff imposed by the United States on Swiss goods is as high as 39%, which is much higher than the tax rate imposed on other European countries. This action has instantly shrunk the competitiveness of Swiss enterprises in the US market, and the export volume has also been significantly impacted.
Under such pressure, Switzerland began to re-examine its diplomatic focus. Instead of being passively beaten, it is better to actively look for alternative markets. As a result, the fourth round of Sino-Swiss foreign ministers' strategic dialogue was quickly opened, and the negotiation on upgrading the FTA was put on the agenda.
Even cooperation in cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence, green development, and digital economy has begun to be included on the agenda. This step may seem to be an economic choice, but it is actually a strategic adjustment.
Switzerland’s “shift” is actually a reflection of a trend: U.S. tariffs “neighbor-to-neighbor” not only do not draw allies closer, but rather push them away from their original partners.
Especially for small and medium-sized economies like Switzerland, which are highly dependent on foreign trade, the choice of a stable, open and predictable partner is more important than any political expression.
More importantly, Switzerland is not an isolated case. Against the background of the United States frequently wielding tariff sticks, more and more countries are beginning to "look east."
What they see is a more deterministic market, less political interference and a stronger logic of mutual benefit. The emergence of this trend has begun to challenge the US's attempt to build a "decoupling alliance with China."
This is not only an economic "turn", but also a "vote with your feet" on unilateralism. The United States originally wanted to use high tariffs to "unite allies", but the result was invisible "forcing" others to find another way out. From this perspective, Switzerland's decision is not just a choice of individual countries, but may be the direction of more countries in the future.
From the “accident” of the United States to China’s “rejection” and Switzerland’s “turning”, these seemingly dispersed events, in fact, have a clear internal logic, China has not responded to American provocations with emotions.
It did not use slogans to deal with the complex global situation. Instead, it promoted institutional construction while adhering to the principle of equal dialogue, and at the same time constantly expanded new space for international cooperation.
This series of actions is depicting a more mature and tolerant Chinese image, not panicking in the face of pressure, reasonable in the face of provocation, and proactive in the face of cooperation, this sense of rationality and determined rhythm, is becoming the standard for China to deal with international affairs.
The U.S. side, the strategic contradiction, the manipulation of the public opinion, the high-pressure isolation of the policy, is weakening its own credibility and influence, and more seriously, this irrational cycle is gradually pushing the United States to a position of "increasingly difficult to trust".
The future depends on who can adhere to the rules and respect the dialogue. China's "telephone" is always reserved for sincere interlocutors, rather than a hotline prepared for temporary public relations and stress tests.
Source of information:
U.S. media concerns: U.S. tariff pressure, Switzerland is accelerating trade talks with China 2025-10-13 10:50