From Trade Crisis to Patriotic Push: Chinese Online Reactions to Trump’s Tariffs | What's on Weibo

Key Developments and Chinese Reactions

The article analyzes Chinese online reactions to recent geopolitical events, particularly focusing on Trump's shifting stance toward Russia and its impact on US-China relations. It highlights the trending keywords on Chinese social media like "Trump" and "Zelensky," and the discussions surrounding the Oval Office clash between Zelensky, Trump, and Vance.

Shifting Views on Zelensky

The Oval Office confrontation led to a surprising shift in some Chinese netizens' views of Zelensky. Some, typically pro-Russian, expressed admiration for his firm stance against Trump and Vance, viewing it as beneficial to China's interests. Others, however, criticized his approach.

• Pro-Zelensky sentiment: Driven by a Sino-centric perspective, where support is determined by who opposes China's rivals.
• Criticism of Zelensky: Some commentators, like Chairman Rabbit, criticized Zelensky for his confrontational approach, suggesting a more conciliatory strategy would have been better.

Trump's 'Pivot' to Russia

The article discusses the meeting between US and Russian delegates in Riyadh, viewed by some Chinese netizens as a "honeymoon" between the two countries, excluding Europe and Ukraine. While there's speculation on the duration of this rapprochement and its implications for China, the official Chinese stance is that they welcome any efforts promoting peace.

• Chinese Official Response: China welcomes any efforts towards peace, regardless of the actors involved.
• Online Speculation: Some believe this rapprochement may be temporary, while others suggest a potential for increased cooperation between China and Europe.

Focus on Taiwan

The article concludes by highlighting the renewed focus on Taiwan amidst the changing geopolitical climate. The increased anti-American sentiment on Chinese social media fuels discussions about potential conflict between China and the US, further amplified by renewed tariffs.

• Increased Propaganda: Chinese state media launched a large-scale campaign reinforcing the narrative of Taiwan's inevitable reunification with China.
• Comparison to Ukraine: Netizens frequently compare the situations in Taiwan and Ukraine, viewing the latter as a cautionary tale.

Overall Perspective

The overarching theme in Chinese online discussions is a pragmatic, Sino-centric approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and US foreign policy. Many netizens view the situation as a strategic chess game where China must play a smart, confident game, focusing on its long-term interests.