[Annotated] Trade talks expose a chasm between China and America

Hardline demands from^[각주:1] both countries raise the risk of a trade war

Start with the good news from the trade negotiations between^[각주:2] China and America. After weeks of threatening tariffs^[각주:3] and counter-tariffs^[각주:4], representatives from the world's two biggest economies are at last talking. Over two days of meetings in Beijing, which ended on May 4th, Chinese and American officials laid out^[각주:5] their grievances^[각주:6] and their demands. That, unfortunately, is where the good news ends. The positions that both sides took were so extreme and contradictory that^[각주:7] compromise^[각주:8] appears a remote prospect. What, until now, has largely been a war of words^[각주:9] could easily careen into^[각주:10] a full-fledged trade war^[각주:11]. 

Publicly, the two countries put a positive gloss on^[각주:12] the outcome^[각주:13]. Xinhua, China's official news agency, described the talks as candid^[각주:14] and constructive^[각주:15]. It noted that they had agreed on some issues and recognized their "considerable differences" on others^[각주:16]. On the evening the talks closed, President Donald Trump tweeted a sentiment that^[각주:17], by his standards, was sympathetic^[각주:18]: "it is hard for China in that they have become very spoiled with U.S. trade wins" (that is, with beating America in the trade arena^[각주:19], which Mr Trump firmly believes China has).

If those public statements were^[각주:20] all observers^[각주:21] had to go on, the conclusion might well be that the talks had been successful. Instead, the two countries' detailed negotiating positions were widely leaked^[각주:22]. It is clear that they have been talking at, rather than with, each other. 

The American demand that made the most headlines^[각주:23] was that China should cut^[각주:24] its massive bilateral trade^[각주:25] surplus by^[각주:26] $200bn by the end of 2020. That would amount to a roughly 60% reduction in China's surplus within three years, which is far from credible^[각주:27]. But numbers are at least negotiable^[각주:28]. More troubling from China's perspective were demands focused on its economic policy. The Americans asked China to stop providing subsidies to^[각주:29] a range of sectors that the Chinese government has deemed strategic^[각주:30], from robotics to electric vehicles. They demanded that Chinese tariffs on American products be no higher than American tariffs on Chinese products. And they told China to open its market much more widely to foreign investors, setting July 1st as a deadline. 

Before travelling to Beijing, Robert Lighthizer, the United States Trade Representative, had said his objective was^[각주:31] not to change the Chinese system but to open it up. Taken in its entirety^[각주:32], though, the American position amounts to a demand for^[각주:33] a new economic model in China. That Mr Lighthizer, long a China hawk, has taken a hardline stance^[각주:34] is not surprising. But it was striking to^[각주:35] see his views emerge^[각주:36] virtually undistilled as^[각주:37] the American position. Some had thought that doveish members of^[각주:38] the American delegation, notably^[각주:39] Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary^[각주:40], would make for^[각주:41] a more moderate stance^[각주:42]. So much for that^[각주:43]. 

China, for its part^[각주:44], also made a series of demands that were non-starters^[각주:45]. To increase its purchases from America, it asked that the American government ease controls on^[각주:46] exports of technology that could have military applications^[각주:47]. These controls, in place for nearly three decades, are not about to be relaxed given that America has just classified China as a rival power. China asked that America open its market to Chinese information-technology products. America is going in the opposite direction, viewing more and more Chinese tech with suspicion^[각주:48]. 

China also asked that America recognize it as a market economy at the World Trade Organization, lessening^[각주:49] the scope for punishment^[각주:50] in trade disputes^[각주:51]. If America fails to do so, China said it would likewise treat America as a non-market economy at the WTO. Had the talks in Beijing gone well, it was expected that Xi Jinping, China's president, or Wang Qishan, his trusted lieutenant on^[각주:52] American relations, would meet Mr Trump's trade team. No meeting took place. 

The questions about the dueling demands is^[각주:53] to what extent^[각주:54] they are simply aggressive opening moves^[각주:55]. The countries might soften their stances as^[각주:56] negotiations continue. But there is a chasm between^[각주:57] them on foundational issues^[각주:58]. China is determined to become a tech power, and is unabashed about^[각주:59] using industrial policy to get there^[각주:60]; America sees China's advance as a threat and believes its industrial policies harm American companies. The American objection to China^[각주:61] as a state-controlled economy^[각주:62] cannot be squared with^[각주:63] China's insistence that^[각주:64] it is already a market economy. The timeline is also tight. Starting on May 23rd, America can legally impose its first set of tariffs against China, affecting roughly $50bn of goods. China will retaliate^[각주:65] without delay^[각주:66]. 

There were some glimpses of^[각주:67] common ground^[각주:68], however limited. Both countries said they wanted to meet regularly. Both talked about wanting a balanced trade relationship, in which China buys more from America. But building on this common ground^[각주:69] requires mutual^[각주:70] goodwill^[각주:71], which is in short supply^[각주:72]. Mr Trump and Mr Xi have tried to cultivate reputations as staunch defenders of^[각주:73] their national interests^[각주:74]. Now that their negotiating positions are publicly known, the worry is that the two leaders, unwilling to look weak, will dig in^[각주:75]. 

1. demand ; (참고: supply and demand) 1. [C] ~ (for sth/that…) (강력히 요청하는) 요구 (사항) ;; 2. [pl.] demands ~ (of sth) | ~ (on sb) (어렵거나 힘이 드는) 일[부담], 요구(되는 일들) [본문으로]
2. trade negotiation ; 무역협상(貿易協商), 무역 교섭 [본문으로]
3. threatening ; [형용사적] 1. (남을) 위협하는, 협박적인. 2. 좋지 못한 일이 일어날 듯한, 험악한. [본문으로]
4. counter tariff ; [명사] 대항관세 [본문으로]
5. lay (sth) out ; 3. (계획·주장 등을 잘 정리하여) 제시하다 [본문으로]
6. grievance ; (특히 부당 취급에 대한) 불평 거리, 불만의 원인 ((against)); 불평(의 호소) ;; 미국∙영국 [|gri:vəns] [본문으로]
7. contradictory ; 1. 모순된, 상반된; 정반대의[to]. ;; 동의어 ; OPPOSITE ;; 2. 반박의, 반박하는, 부정적인; 부정하기 좋아하는. ;; 미국식 [|kɑ:ntrə|dɪktəri] 영국식 [|kɒntrə|dɪktəri] [본문으로]
8. compromise ; [자동사] 타협하다, 양보하다, 화해하다; (불리·불명예스러운) 양보를 하다[with]. [본문으로]
9. war of words ; 설전(舌戰), 논쟁 ;; 말씨름[입씨름] [본문으로]
10. careen ; [VERB] To careen somewhere means to rush forward in an uncontrollable way. ;; 미국∙영국 [kə|ri:n] [본문으로]
11. full-fledged ; [형용사] 깃털이 다 난; 완전히 성장한; 자격을 제대로 갖춘 ;; 동의어 ; fully fledged ;; <반의어> unfledged [본문으로]
12. gloss ; 5. [C] ~ (on sth) 겉치레, 허식 ;; 6. [C] ~ (on sth) 주석, 해설 [본문으로]
13. outcome ; [보통 sing.] 결과; 과정; 성과(result), 결론 ((of)) ;; conclusion, outlet [본문으로]
14. candid ; 1. 솔직한(frank, candour), 숨김없는, 거리낌 없는(outspoken) ;; 3. 공정한; 공평한, 편견 없는(impartial). [본문으로]
15. constructive ; 1. (사고 따위가) 건설적인(<반의어> destructive). [본문으로]
16. considerable ; 1. 고려해야 할, 무시할 수 없는(worth considering) ; 주목할 만한(noteworthy), 저명한(distinguished), 중요한(of importance). ;; 2. 어지간한, 적지 않은(no small), 상당한(rather large or great). [본문으로]
17. sentiment ; 2. 감정적인 생각 ;; 4. [UC/] [보통 pl.] 의견, 의향, 생각; 감상(感想), 소감, 감회; 취지; (말 자체에 대해 그 이면의) 뜻, 의미 [본문으로]
18. sympathetic ; 2. 마음에 드는, 서로 마음이 통하는, 성미에 맞는 ;; 3. (계획·제안·생각 따위에) 호의적인, 찬성하는 ((to, toward)) [본문으로]
19. arena ; 2. 활동 무대, 경쟁의 장, …계(界) ;; 미국∙영국 [ə|ri:nə] [본문으로]
20. public statement ; 공개 보고(서). [본문으로]
21. observer ; 2. 감시자, 입회인, 방청자 ;; 3. (회의의) 옵서버, 참관인 ((정식 대표의 자격이 없어 표결에 참여하지 않는)) ;; 4. 논평하는 사람, 평자(評者) ;; 5. (규칙·종교 의식 등의) 준수자 ((of)) [본문으로]
22. leak ; 2. <비밀·정보 등을> 누설하다, 흘리다 ((out, to)) [본문으로]
23. make[grab, hit] the headlines ; (언론에) 대서특필되다[대대적으로 보도되다] [본문으로]
24. cut ; 10. REDUCE | [타동사][VN] ~ sth (by…) | ~ sth (from…) (to…) ~을 (~만큼) 줄이다[삭감하다]/~을 (~에서) (~로) 줄이다 [본문으로]
25. bilateral trade ; [명사] 상호 균형 무역, 쌍무 무역. [본문으로]
26. trade surplus ; [명사] 무역 수지 흑자 [본문으로]
27. credible ; 1. 믿을[신뢰할] 수 있는 ;; 2. (성공하리라고 보고) 받아들일 만한, 믿을 만한 [본문으로]
28. negotiable ; 1. 협상의 여지가 있는, 절충 가능한 [본문으로]
29. subsidy ; [C , U] (pl. -ies) (국가・기관이 제공하는) 보조금[장려금] [본문으로]
30. deem ; [자, 타동사] (보통 진행형으로는 쓰이지 않음) (격식) (…로) 여기다[생각하다] [본문으로]
31. objective ; 1. 목적, 목표. ;; 동의어 ; PURPOSE [본문으로]
32. entirety ; 1. 완전, 온전한 상태(completeness). ;; 2. [the ~] 전부, 전체, 전액(the whole, the sum total)(of). [본문으로]
33. amount to ; 1. (합계가) …에 이르다[달하다] ;; 2. …와 마찬가지이다[…에 해당하다] [본문으로]
34. take a hardline stance ; 강경한 입장을 취하다 [본문으로]
35. striking ; 1. 눈에 띄는, 두드러진, 현저한 ;; 2. 굉장히 매력적인, 빼어난 [본문으로]
36. see + O + infinitive [본문으로]
37. undistilled ; Not distilled ;; distill ; [타동사] 4. [비유적] 〔주지·요점 따위〕를 (…으로부터) 뽑다[from]; 〔문체 따위〕를 세련되게 하다, 순화하다. [본문으로]
38. dovish ; 비둘기 같은; [구어] 비둘기파와 같은, 온건 평화파의(opp. hawkish) [본문으로]
39. notably ; 1. 특히 ;; 2. 현저히, 뚜렷이 [본문으로]
40. treasury secretary ; [명사] 재무 장관 (cf. the Treasury Department (미국) 재무부) [본문으로]
41. make for ; 1. ~쪽으로 가다[향하다] ;; 2. 도움이 되다 [본문으로]
42. moderate stance ; 온건한 입장, 태도 [본문으로]
43. so much for that ; 그것에 관해서는 그 정도로 한다. [본문으로]
44. for one's (own) part ; 자기로서는, 자기에 관한 한 ;; …로서는, …만은. [본문으로]
45. non-starter ; [명사] (비격식) 애시당초 (성공할) 가능성이 없는 것[사람] [본문으로]
46. ease ; 1. 편해지다[편하게 해 주다]; (고통・불편 등이[을]) 덜해지다[덜어 주다] [본문으로]
47. application ; 2. PRACTICAL USE | [U , C] ~ (of sth) (to sth) 적용, 응용 [본문으로]
48. view with suspicion ; 의심을 품다 [본문으로]
49. lessen ; [동사] (크기・강도・중요도 등이[을]) 줄다[줄이다] [본문으로]
50. scope ; [U] 1. ~ (for sth) | ~ (for sb) (to do sth) (무엇을 하거나 이룰 수 있는) 기회[여지/능력] ;; 2. (주제・조직・활동 등이 다루는) 범위 [본문으로]
51. trade dispute ; 무역 분쟁 [본문으로]
52. lieutenant ; 1. 〈美육군·공군·해병대〉 중위(first lieutenant), 소위(second lieutenant); 〈英육군〉 중위. ;; 2. (해군) 대위; 《美》 연안 경비대 대위. ;; 3. 부관, (상관(上官)) 대리. ;; 4. [美] (경찰·소방서의) 지서(支署) 차석, 부(副)서장. [본문으로]
53. duel ; [VERB] To duel means to fight a duel or be involved in a conflict. [본문으로]
54. to what extent ; 어느 점까지 [본문으로]
55. opening move ; the first of a series of actions [본문으로]
56. soften ; 4. 연약[나약]하게 하다; <의욕 등을> 꺾다; <물가·요구 등을> 억제하다, 낮게 하다 [본문으로]
57. chasm ; 2. [sing.] ~ (between A and B) (격식) (사람・집단 사이의) 큰 차이[골] ;; 미국∙영국 [|kӕzəm] [본문으로]
58. foundational ; 기초가 되는; 기초적인, 기본의(fundamental). [본문으로]
59. unabashed ; 1. 부끄러워하지 않는(unashamed, shameless) ; 태연한, 뻔뻔스러운, 수줍어하지 않는(not abashed). ;; 2. 침착한(preserving composure). [본문으로]
60. industrial policy ; 산업 정책 [본문으로]
61. objection ; (pl. objections[-z]) 1. [U, C] (…에 대한) 반대, 항의, 이의, 불복, 거부; 혐오, 싫어함[to, against]. ;; 2. (…의) 흠, 결점, 난점[to]; (…에 대한) 반대의 이유[to, against]. [본문으로]
62. state-controlled ; 국영의, 국가통제의 [본문으로]
63. square ; 9. 들어맞추다(fit), 적응시키다(accommodate), 일치시키다(bring into line) (with, to). [본문으로]
64. insistence ; [U] ~ (on sth/on doing sth) | ~ (that…) 고집, 주장, 강조 [본문으로]
65. retaliate ; [자동사] 1. (같은 수단으로) 보복하다, 앙갚음하다, 응수하다 ((to, for)); 악으로 갚다 ((on, upon, against)) [본문으로]
66. without delay ; 지체 없이, 곧바로(at once) ;; (법률) 지체없이(遲滯~) [본문으로]
67. glimpse ; (pl. glimps·es[-iz]) 1. 힐끗 보기, 일별(一瞥), 일견. ;; 동의어 ; GLANCE ;; 2. 얼핏 나타나기, 희미하게 보임. [본문으로]
68. common ground ; (사회 관계·논의·상호 이해 등의) 공통 기반; (관심·견해 따위의) 일치점. [본문으로]
69. build on ; …의 위에 쌓다. ;; ~을 기반으로 하다 [본문으로]
70. mutual ; 1. 상호간의, 서로의 ;; 2. [명사 앞에만 씀] (둘 이상 사람들) 공동[공통]의 [본문으로]
71. goodwill ; [U]호의, 성의, 친절, 두터운 정, 친선(↔ill will); 기꺼이 하기, 쾌락(快諾); [商](점포·영업의) 권리, 신용, 단골, 무형의 이익, 영업권 [본문으로]
72. be in short[excessive] supply ; 공급이 부족하다[과잉이다] [본문으로]
73. a staunch defender of sth ; (…의) 충실한 옹호자. [본문으로]
74. national interest(s) ; [명사] 국가 이익, 국익(國益). [본문으로]
75. dig in ; 2. 꾹 참고 기다리다[견디다] [본문으로]