The US-China trade war, which began in 2018, has had a significant impact on international trade and economic ties. Media coverage of the trade war has influenced public opinion and political decisions. The media landscape in China is heavily influenced by the government, and state-run media sources frequently provide a uniform viewpoint. Private media outlets in China have to work around official control and push the limits of permitted debate on delicate subjects, resulting in a more critical view of the trade conflict. People may have a more comprehensive picture of how the trade war has affected China’s economy and society by examining the many narratives that have been offered by state-run and commercial media sources. International media outlets frame the trade war as a larger geopolitical struggle with far-reaching effects on the world economy, emphasizing the consequences of the trade war for international relations and its possible effects on other nations. By analyzing the different narratives presented by state-run and private media outlets, as well as international media outlets, individuals can gain a more comprehensive understanding of this complex issue.
Private media sources in China, including Southern Weekly and The Paper, offer a thorough examination of the trade war’s effects, but have difficulty covering delicate subjects due to government censorship and possible repercussions. State-run media organizations like People’s Daily, Global Times, and Xinhua have constantly portrayed the trade war as a US effort to stifle China’s economic development and global influence, emphasizing the need for China to stand together as a country and to be resilient in the face of US aggression. Private media organizations offer a crucial counterbalance to the government’s position on the trade war by providing a critical viewpoint, encouraging public discussion, and holding the government responsible. State media is vital in shaping public opinion and bolstering the administration’s position on the trade war by promoting national solidarity and resistance to US aggression, but may also stifle discussion and critical analysis of the subject.
International media outlets present a wide range of opinions, with some taking a more pro-US stance and others offering critical perspectives. Many emphasize the risks to the global economy and international trade while highlighting the potential global impact of the trade war. The effects of the trade war on particular sectors, such technology and agriculture, are also covered. The US-China trade war is a complicated issue with a wide range of stakeholders, and no one media outlet can present a comprehensive and objective viewpoint. To get a more complex understanding of the trade war, it is crucial to approach media coverage with a critical and discerning eye and look for a variety of viewpoints.
The Chinese media’s portrayal of the trade war has been a crucial tool for influencing public opinion and mobilizing support for the government’s policies. Strategies employed by the Chinese government and media outlets include presenting the dispute as a fight between two unequal powers, focusing on China’s historical treatment as a victim of foreign powers, and emphasizing the positive economic effects of China’s rising. These strategies have been successful in gaining support from the public and diverting criticism, but they have also had some unforeseen effects, such as making it challenging for the Chinese government to provide compromises and engage in sincere negotiations, and inflaming nationalist sentiment and demonizing the US, making it more difficult to forge trust and cooperation between the two nations.