On the morning of October 18, Beijing time, Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Hu Jintao confronted two senior U.S. officials ¨C Treasury Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Greer ¨C for a ¡°honest exchange¡± of 50 minutes.

In terms of numbers, the Chinese side is "solitary fighting", but in terms of pace and substance, the Chinese representative who really has the power of speech is the one who sits in Beijing and tacitly responds.

The next face-to-face negotiations in Malaysia were the real end of this game of chess, and this call undoubtedly set the tone for that confrontation.

The question is, how did this "decider" come to this day? How did China gain the initiative in a seemingly passive situation?

From passive to proactive, China is stable and gets a trick.

Things start in the past few months. The United States continues to release signals that it will impose higher tariffs on China goods. It is quite tough and seems to be preparing for a showdown.

Especially after Trump returned to the White House this year, his style of speaking to China remains as strong as ever.

This statement, placed a few years ago, may have made many people nervous, but now, China's response is clearly mature.

Different from the past, China did not respond immediately, but quietly played a key card: strengthening the management of rare earth exports. This move didn't say much, but the effect was not small.

Although rare earths sound a bit far away from ordinary people's lives, they are unavoidable raw materials for the high-tech industry in the United States. The Chinese side played this move quietly, but it suddenly hit the opponent's weakness.

The United States originally wanted to use tariffs to suppress China, but found that its own industry responded first. As a result, the White House began to panic.

Vice President Vance said that the United States "has more means," but he did not see the real move after saying that. On the contrary, the United States took the initiative to make a phone call, hoping to ease the atmosphere through dialogue.

However, the Chinese side didn't agree immediately, but delayed it until October 18th before sitting down to talk. This kind of "no hurry" is an attitude in itself.

The time of the call is also particular. Arranging it in the morning of Beijing time means that it is the time for the US to cooperate with China. Don't underestimate this detail, it shows who is dominating the rhythm. In diplomatic occasions, this kind of detail is often the embodiment of attitude.

Surface one-on-two, the essence is the Chinese set rhythm

On the day of the conversation, Mr. Ho faced two senior U.S. officials. In terms of numbers, the Chinese side appears to be at a disadvantage, but the real initiative is not in the number, but in who can control the field. From the information disclosed by the media, this conversation was not easy, and the two sides had intense discussions on several key issues.

But the key is that the Chinese side has not met, but has adhered to its own position and rhythm.

China has clearly expressed its opposition to the unreasonable tariffs and restrictive measures of the United States, and also reiterated the principle of "talks must be carried out on the basis of equality." These words don't sound intense, but the meaning is clear: you don't have to talk about it, but as long as you want to talk, you have to respect each other.

What's more interesting is that although the call time was only as short as 50 minutes, the United States immediately released the news after the meeting, saying that it was willing to hold face-to-face consultations in Malaysia next week.

This shows that the United States does have a sense of urgency. After all, the new round of tariffs set by Trump will take effect on November 1, leaving little time for both sides.

On the other hand, although the Chinese side has not made it clear whether it will accept all the issues, judging from the arrangement, it is ready to continue negotiations.

However, this kind of preparation is not passive acceptance, but an active response based on one's own judgment. In other words, China is willing to talk, but it will not be rhythmized, let alone sign any "short agreement" without substantial concessions.

The rhythm is in hand, and the initiative is naturally in hand

If it is said that in the previous rounds of the two sides have come again, then after this call, many people have seen clearly: the rhythm has been in the hands of the Chinese.

First, the Chinese side used rare earth cards to disrupt the U.S. pace of pressure.The Trump administration originally wanted to force Chinese concessions through high pressure, but the Chinese side was not frightened, instead a cold trick came out, so that the other party could not react.

Second, China controlled the pace of calls. From postponing the call, to setting the time, to arranging the content of the talks, every step shows China's calmness.

Third, China was not taken away, but insisted on its own ideas. Whether it is the response to the 301 investigation or the opposition to unfair trade policies, China's attitude is clear from beginning to end.

On the U.S. side, however, there is a lot of action, but it is obviously a little confusing.

The first was to talk about tax increases, to find the effect limited, and to start the bargain negotiations. They even proposed to extend some of the tariff exemptions, trying to use these "empty checks" in exchange for Chinese concessions.

The next face-to-face talks in Malaysia will be a crucial moment to test the sincerity of both sides.China has made clear that if you really want to talk, you have to talk on an equal basis.

If the U.S. still wants to take the path of "frontal negotiation and pressure", then China will not cooperate.

This is the bottom line of the Chinese side now: do not bother, but do not fear. talk together, promote cooperation; do not talk together, do not compromise principle.

Summary

This video call, which appears to be just an ordinary diplomatic contact, is in fact a sign of the China-U.S. economic and trade game entering a critical phase.China's one to two senior U.S. officials, appears to be a disadvantage, but in fact is through steady advancement, accurate hiring, mastering the initiative of negotiations.

From the rare earth brand to the call arrangement, to the next face-to-face consultation, every step of the Chinese side seems leisurely and full of rhythm.

The next face-to-face conversation is a real confrontation.If the US can put down a high gesture, really sit down and talk, maybe it can still find a breakthrough.

But if you want to shout and put pressure on the side, then the Chinese side will not get used to it anymore.Today's China is no longer the role of the passive beaten, but a prepared, tactical, and discouraged negotiator.

This ¡°win-win battle¡±, who loses and wins is not yet to be determined, but it can be assured that the Chinese side has told the world with practical actions: without respect, there is no dialogue; without equality, there is no cooperation.

Source of information: China and the United States agree to hold a new round of Sino-US economic and trade consultations as soon as possible-2025-10-18 15: 12 ¡¤ China News Network