Enlightenment from Qi Wan and Luzhen——Talking about the right to speak in foreign trade

Some abnormal phenomena have appeared in international trade. As the world's largest trading country, China is actually subject to others. This phenomenon can no longer continue.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period, Qilu Dadi had two very important countries, one is Qi and the other is Lu. The former produces silk and is called Qi Wan (silk), and the latter produces silk as Lu Jin (绨). With the assistance of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, Qi Huangong (the son of Xiaobai) tried his best to defeat the State of Lu. However, in 684 BC, Cao Ku argued that he defeated the Qi army at Changshao, and Qi Huangong returned home. The military adventure did not win, so Qi decided to launch a trade war.

Under the careful planning of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, Qi Huangong ordered the collection of domestically produced silk and purchase of silk from the State of Lu. The State of Lu believes that it is profitable and a large amount of silk is purchased. Grain is no longer planted on the land of Lu, but mulberry and sericulture are planted. The silk of Lu is sold to neighboring countries, and the grain production is reduced on a large scale.

In "Guan Zi", a true story is also recorded. Qi Huangong went to Daiguo to buy foxes (leather of fox white) at high prices. In order to obtain huge profits, the residents of the country gave up agricultural production and looked for foxes everywhere. The result was a food crisis in the country. Under the intrusion of the Lizhi Kingdom in the north, Dai Guo had to surrender to Qi. Qi State forced this small country to submit by launching a trade war.

The author thinks of these stories because China is not only the largest trading partner of ASEAN and the largest trading partner of the European Union, but also the largest trading partner of the United States and the largest trading partner of India. China has become a well-deserved trading power. It is conceivable what the consequences will be if China refuses to buy a country's products in large quantities.

China is not incapable of imposing sanctions, but is unwilling to impose sanctions on some countries and regions. If China uses its trading capabilities to impose sanctions on some countries, these countries may be wiped out.

The wheel of history is rolling forward. More and more countries are aware that promoting trade development in various countries is the foundation and important external condition for economic development. If trade protectionism is implemented and a trade war is launched against other countries, then it is very likely to end up harming others and disadvantages ourselves. China hopes that some countries will realize that trade with China should follow the principle of equality and mutual benefit and reach an agreement on equal rights and obligations on the basis of mutual respect.

China will not launch a trade war against some countries, but China is capable of launching a trade war. As the world's largest consumer market and the world's largest trading country, China is willing to establish predictable and fair trade relations with all countries in the world.

However, it is strange that China buys commodities from all over the world, but it is not fully respected. The more products China buys, the higher the price; the more products China sells, the lower the price.

This abnormal phenomenon shows that some countries are attempting to manipulate the international market and seriously harm China's national interests. This is something China absolutely cannot agree to. China is willing to carry out trade activities with other countries based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit. However, if it takes advantage of the dangers and blackmails China, then China will definitely show its strength.

The development of world trade is based on factor endowments. In recent years, more and more countries have realized that apart from natural endowments, national industrial policies, competition policies, and trade policies play a key role in affecting a country’s trade development. The reason why some countries can turn their own problems into other countries’ problems is that, on the one hand, they make full use of the externalities of the market economy’s operating mechanism to pass on crises. On the other hand, it is because the capitalist countries are developing trade while adding additional value to trade. Many unreasonable conditions have resulted in damage to the legitimate interests of some countries.

In those days, Latin American countries opened their doors to welcome the entry of Wall Street capital to promote their own economic development. Due to the large amount of capital entering Latin American countries, the economies of some Latin American countries are booming. However, the profitability of capital determines that in order to obtain higher profits, Wall Street capital owners require Latin American countries to implement exchange rate liberalization policies. Investors’ profits are transferred out at a relatively low cost, and Latin American countries’ economies are rapidly" Hollowing out".

China hopes that while developing trade, all countries attach great importance to economic security; while opening up to the outside world, they should firmly grasp economic sovereignty. China is willing to help other countries improve their economic conditions and achieve sustainable development within its capacity.

There is a fragmented development trend in world trade. Some regional free trade area agreements have added exclusive clauses. For example, in the agreements signed by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it is clearly stipulated that no country can sign a free trade area agreement with a non-market economy country. Once such a free trade area agreement is signed, the free trade area agreement signed by the three North American countries will lose their validity. This is a stark trade protectionist policy. Since the United States does not recognize China's market economy status, the direction of this clause is very obvious. In the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, special discriminatory policies are imposed on state-owned enterprises and the state-owned economy. Although the clause did not play a practical role; however, the clause was clearly intended to create obstacles for China to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

China is willing to sign free trade zone agreements with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. However, China hopes that the regional free trade area agreement will not disrupt the world trade order, will not destroy the rules of the World Trade Organization, and will not create one trade barrier after another in the world.

On the one hand, China actively joins the regional free trade area agreement, and fully takes care of the interests and concerns of the members of the free trade area agreement in the negotiation. But on the other hand, China firmly opposes the addition of exclusive clauses in regional free trade area agreements. If the regional free trade area agreement is not open and artificially sets up obstacles, then the development of world trade will inevitably be affected.

Some scholars worry about whether China will use its trade power to affect the economy of a country or region. This worry is completely unnecessary. In Chinese philosophical concepts, it is emphasized that "people do not offend me, and I do not offend others", and "if anyone offends me, I will offend others." If China’s development interests are not respected and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies are harmed, then China will definitely not sit idly by. China will definitely give full play to its trade power and take practical and effective measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

On the one hand, leaders of some countries or regions have made irresponsible remarks against China, turning black and white, spreading rumors and slanders, but on the other hand, they hope to obtain huge commercial benefits from the Chinese market. This is a typical overweight. China will not allow phenomena that harm China's national interests under any circumstances.

I advise those countries or regions that maintain trade relations with China not to take a chance on issues involving China's national interests, especially China's development interests, and do not think that China is unable to defend its legitimate interests and impose sanctions on them. If incidents are created on a series of major issues that seriously damage China's national interests, then China will definitely strike a head-on.

The tragedy of history lies in the fact that whoever God wants to perish must first make it crazy. Some regional leaders sit in the well and watch the sky. Yelang is arrogant. They think they can use their power to harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. They did not realize that China can forgive, but they will never condone. If it continues to cause trouble on the trade issue, then China will use its own way, without fighting and beating its opponents.

Ancient Greek sages once said, "Justice is the benefit of the strong." China is willing to treat each other as equals and is willing to maintain normal trade relations with other countries. However, if flaunting teeth and dancing claws and slanderous words damage China's international image, then China will definitely resist. As long as China issues a warning, the relevant countries should be aware of the seriousness of the problem. If turning a deaf ear to it and continuing to damage China's national interests and the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, then severe sanctions will be waiting for them.