"Tariff war".... If Xi really wanted to fight Trump on tariffs, Xi could stop all ships coming here from Chyna for a couple weeks. The stores would be empty real quick.
Just a thought. I welcome discussion whether my thinking is wrong.
Edit: I am wrong! Stopping shipping is not feasible. However I still think Xi is working with Trump
Logistically speaking china would have to stop all production and feed the workers for free . That's how much they produce in a couple weeks
But would they do it if they were in a trade war with USA?
No. They'd get a domestic revolt very quickly. The Chinese factories will close down with a few weeks of interrupted cash flow. If they don't ship, they don't get paid. No pay means massive layoffs. Massive layoffs mean local merchants stop selling because nobody can afford to buy.
They had huge problems when shipping was halted for Covid, literally struggling to keep order, workers going weeks and months without pay. They're still playing catch-up.
We saw the makings of a revolt this year with 100% tariffs. Xi had to make a deal in order to calm the masses.
Their warehouses are continually full , they could do it theoretically