SATISH SHARMA - not just Rotigraphy.: How China’s Mindset Shift Transformed the Trade War A reflection on the difference between 2018 and 2025

https://x.com/OopsGuess/status/1913540740191523154

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How China’s Mindset Shift Transformed the Trade War A reflection on the difference between 2018 and 2025 1/ Back in 2018, when Trump launched the first wave of tariffs on Chinese goods, many Chinese were caught off guard. There was hesitation, even anxiety. People worried about job losses, shrinking exports, and whether China could withstand the pressure. But in 2025?Everything has changed. 2/ This time, Trump’s new round of tariffs triggered not fear—but fierce resistance. China’s government responded decisively, but more importantly, the people responded with clarity, confidence, and defiance. Gone is the era of trying to explain or apologize. The gloves are off. 3/ Chinese factories are now bypassing the traditional Western gatekeepers. They go directly to consumers. They speak English. They post TikToks exposing the truth behind luxury markups. They challenge Western narratives in plain, unapologetic language. 4/ When Trump supporters mocked, “If you don’t sell to the US, who will you sell to?” Chinese sellers answered sharply: “The rest of the world. You don’t think the US is the only country on Earth, do you?” No hesitation. No need for permission. Just facts and confidence. 5/ This is more than a trade war. It’s a war of narratives, and for the first time, Chinese people are fighting it on equal footing. They no longer seek validation from the West. They’ve realized that strength isn’t granted—it’s asserted. 6/ China has matured. From crisis management in 2018 to narrative dominance in 2025. From passive reaction to proactive shaping. From “please don’t misunderstand us” to “here’s the truth—take it or leave it.” This is not fear. It’s clarity. 7/ The trade war Trump reignited will not weaken China. If anything, it has: • Hardened public resolve • Boosted global outreach • Accelerated supply chain diversification • Strengthened national confidence China didn’t just survive the last trade war—it leveled up. 8/ So here’s the irony: Trump hoped to break China’s rise with tariffs. Instead, he ended up breaking the illusion of Western supremacy in trade, narrative, and technology. The China of 2025 is not the China of 2018. And it’s not looking back. We don’t need to be understood by the West. We just need to be unstoppable.