US "No Blame on China for COVID... Tariff Withdrawal is 'NO'" [Correspondent Diary]

Carrot and Stick Approach Amid Intensifying US-China Conflict

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The Joe Biden administration in the United States has stated that it will maintain the trade tariffs imposed on China by the previous Donald Trump administration but will not hold China responsible for the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

With President Biden's first press conference, the escalating conflicts between the two countries since the U.S. administration took office are being sorted out in detail, but there are also assessments that economic conflicts between the two countries are likely to continue.

"No Pursuit of China's Responsibility for COVID-19"

The United States has expressed the view that it will not hold China responsible for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) 'COVID-19 Origin Investigation Team' arrived at Jintan Hospital in Wuhan, Hebei Province, China, identified as the origin of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to conduct an on-site investigation. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 28th (local time), Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in an interview with CNN, "Rather than holding China responsible for COVID-19, it is important to be able to respond to future pandemics that may occur."

Secretary Blinken also mentioned, "Their focus needs to be on building a stronger system for the future," expressing the opinion that the ongoing investigation into the origins of COVID-19 at the World Health Organization (WHO) level should be conducted transparently.

Secretary Blinken expressed concern that the WHO's investigation report on the origin theory of COVID-19 in China might not contain accurate facts due to pressure from China, stating, "The investigation must be handled transparently."

Blinken's remarks drew more attention as they came shortly after Robert Redfield, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), claimed that the COVID-19 virus likely originated from a laboratory in Wuhan, China.

CNN reported that Mike Pompeo, Blinken's predecessor as Secretary of State, had said he would hold China responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak, evaluating that the U.S. stance has changed after the regime change.

"No Withdrawal of Retaliatory Tariffs on China."

The United States has continued its pressure on China in the economic sector.

Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), stated in her first interview after taking office that she is not considering reducing tariffs on Chinese imports.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that day, she said, "Although imposing tariffs on Chinese products may negatively affect U.S. businesses and consumers, we are not prepared to take tariff reduction measures on China in the near future."

According to USTR, Representative Tai contacted counterparts from 14 countries during her first week in office, but China was excluded. Regarding this, Tai explained, "We will communicate with China when the time is right."

WSJ interpreted Tai's stance as aligning with the U.S. government's position of prioritizing consultations with allies.

Tai acknowledged that the retaliatory tariffs on China imposed during the Trump administration without precise analysis could also harm U.S. businesses but said, "They were imposed to address imbalanced and unfair trade." This reflects the position that unfair competition between Chinese companies receiving illegal subsidies from the Chinese government and U.S. companies must be prevented.

She also pointed out, "I have heard requests to remove tariffs," adding, "If changes are not made while communicating so that economic actors can adapt, removing tariffs could harm the economy."

Tai particularly emphasized, "A competent negotiator must use all necessary means and keep all possibilities open."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.