The New Statesman | UK politics and culture This isn't China's first rodeo (or trade war)
9 snips
Apr 23, 2025 
Rana Mitter, a prominent historian of China from Harvard, teams up with Kevin Xu, founder of a bilingual newsletter on tech and geopolitics. They delve into how trade wars echo China's tumultuous past, tying modern tensions with historical events like the opium wars. The conversation highlights the lasting effects of unequal treaties, China's evolving nationalism, and the economic decoupling between the US and China. They also discuss the challenges facing China's economy and the importance of understanding these historical narratives in shaping future relations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China's Trade-Tied History
- China's modern history, especially the 19th-century Opium Wars, is deeply tied to trade conflicts and foreign imposition.
- These unequal treaties and foreign intrusions shaped China's century of humiliation that ended with the 1949 Communist takeover.
Xi's Vision of Great Rejuvenation
- Xi Jinping emphasizes restoring China's historic greatness, referencing its decline after the Opium Wars.
- His agenda centers on reversing the 'long century of downturn' and achieving the great rejuvenation of China.
Tariffs Cause Trade Paralysis
- Current tariffs between the US and China are so high they effectively halt trade of many goods.
- Such astronomical tariffs create paralysis for businesses and can cause shipments to simply stop.