China downplays tariffs' economic effects

Says it's too big to bow to US pressure

- DAVID PIERSON CLAIRE FU VIVIAN WANG

China's leaders have sent a clear message about the effects of the Trump administration's sweeping tariffs: Things will be painful, but it is nothing that the country cannot handle.

A commentary on Sunday in the Communist Party newspaper, the People's Daily, said Beijing had prepared for a trade war with the United States and that China could potentially come out stronger as a result.

"The shadow of tariffs by the United States will have an impact on China, but 'the sky will not fall,'" it said. "China is a super economy. We are strong and resilient in the face of the US tariff bullying."

The commentary highlighted that China hopes to position itself as the tariffs cause growing economic disruption. It wants to be seen as a responsible champion of fair trade that is too powerful to succumb to US pressure.

China is also sounding out solidarity with other nations targeted by US tariffs in another state media commentary on Sunday.

In that piece, China accused the United States of trying to "subvert the existing international economic and trade order," by putting "US interests above the common good of the international community." Washington was also advancing "US hegemonic ambitions at the cost of the legitimate interests of all countries," it said.

China's projection of relative strength belies the grave harm the Trump administration's tariffs could potentially inflict on the country.