US should change its thinking so it's in line with the times: China Daily editorial

Like the behavior of any spoiled brat, Washington's lack of propriety and its overbearing－sometimes ruthless－desire to have its own way are annoying, and ultimately self-defeating.

Among other things, that the United States cannot treat China with respect and show good faith in the dealings between the two countries has led to the current impasse in their trade talks.

The US has been the world's sole superpower for decades and it has become accustomed to bossing other countries around. With the world's largest economy and strongest military might, it has developed a mentality that what it says goes and other countries must toe its line.

With such thinking, Washington has constantly accused China of being a free rider in its economic cooperation with the US, turning a blind eye to the huge profits US transnational companies have made in China in the past several decades and to the great contributions China has made to the prosperity of the US market.

With such thinking, it has even distorted the trade deficit the US has with China, including the share of the profits its own companies such as Apple and Qualcomm have in the trade surplus China has with it. As a result, the US trade deficit with China has been greatly exaggerated.

With such thinking, it unilaterally imposed extra tariffs on imports from China early in 2018, triggering the trade dispute. This came about four months after the two countries' enterprises signed cooperation deals worth $253.5 billion in November 2017.

Despite the fact that China has agreed to try its best to reduce its trade surplus by importing more products from the US, such thinking has prompted Washington to put ever higher demands on China without ever considering its development needs, or lifting the ban it has put in place on exports of high-tech products to China.

Having not a smattering of self-awareness, such thinking means US politicians believe they have a God-given right to dictate what others should do. The hegemonic mentality and arrogance that they have long displayed mean they consider it natural to try and pull rank in their dealings with the rest of the world.

It is with such thinking that the US believes it can tell China how to go about its business.

It has become increasingly obvious that the trade talks between the two countries will not make any headway unless the US changes its attitude toward China and negotiates with it on an equal footing.

The US should change its thinking, as it is foolish to believe that any country is superior to others. It should get in step with the times, which are characterized by countries treating each other with respect and as equals, and seeking harmony without uniformity.