US Seeks to Isolate China in Trade Talks With Other Nations: Report

President Donald Trump speaks during a ‘Make America Wealthy Again’ trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

| Published April 17, 2025

Washington is reportedly asking other countries to reduce trade and economic ties with Beijing in exchange for tariff cuts.

In a move that underscores escalating strategic tensions between the world’s two largest economies, the United States is reportedly leveraging its trade negotiations with over 70 countries to curb China’s global economic reach. According to recent reports, the Biden administration is seeking to pressure allies and partners to block Chinese firms from setting up shop in their countries and to prevent China from rerouting exports to bypass U.S. tariffs.

Strategic Intent: Economic Containment Without Direct Conflict

This approach represents a form of soft containment—a strategy designed to constrain China’s economic influence without resorting to direct military confrontation. While the U.S. does not explicitly call it isolation, the underlying intent is clear: to make it harder for China to access global markets on its own terms.

The idea is to build a web of trade agreements and economic alliances that exclude or limit Chinese participation, especially in areas tied to high-tech supply chains, critical minerals, and digital infrastructure. This is the economic equivalent of “drawing a line in the sand.”

The Tools: Tariff Talks and Alliances

At the heart of this strategy are ongoing tariff negotiations with dozens of nations. The U.S. is reportedly using these talks to demand trade alignment on issues such as forced technology transfers, state subsidies, and IP theft — areas where China has long been accused of unfair practices.

Additionally, Washington is doubling down on initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) — a trade partnership that pointedly excludes China. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad went so far as to say the group exists primarily to “isolate China,” warning that excluding Asia’s largest economy from regional trade could stunt growth and deepen divides.

Risks and Pushback

While the U.S. sees this as a necessary defensive maneuver, the diplomatic and economic risks are high:

• Straining Alliances: Nations in Asia, Africa, and even Europe may resist choosing sides in what they see as a U.S.-China cold war. Many countries rely on trade with both superpowers and view forced decoupling as a threat to their economic stability.

• Economic Blowback: Forcing countries to limit business with China could backfire, especially if U.S. alternatives are not competitive or timely. Developing nations, in particular, may not want to give up Chinese investments in infrastructure and manufacturing.

• China’s Response: Beijing is unlikely to sit still. China has already begun expanding its own trade blocs, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These platforms give China deep ties across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe — and may help it weather Washington’s pressure campaign.

Bigger Picture: A Reshaping of the Global Trade Map

This strategy signals a broader U.S. ambition to redraw the global trade map, orienting it away from China and toward a more U.S.-centric or U.S-friendly economic system. It’s part of a larger ideological divide — between a rules-based, liberal economic order and China’s state-capitalist model.

But the success of this effort depends on how many countries the U.S. can bring along. It’s not just about tariffs — it’s about trust, incentives, and whether the U.S. can offer economic opportunities that rival China’s.

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Conclusion: A Calculated but Fragile Play

The United States is strategically using global trade negotiations to isolate China economically — aiming to limit Beijing’s influence, restrict its access to foreign markets, and prevent it from bypassing U.S. tariffs. This is a bold attempt to reshape the global trade landscape around American interests and values.

However, the approach carries significant risks: it could strain alliances, push neutral countries closer to China, and fragment global trade. Success depends on whether the U.S. can offer attractive alternatives and maintain strong international support.

Bottom line: The U.S. is playing a high-stakes game to contain China without direct confrontation — and the outcome could redefine global economics and diplomacy for years to come.

 

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SOURCES: THE EPOCH TIMES – US Seeks to Isolate China in Trade Talks With Other Nations: Report

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL – U.S. Plans to Use Tariff Negotiations to Isolate China

BITCOINCENSUS – Trump’s Bold Trade Strategy Seeks to Isolate China in International Trade

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