As global trade wars intensify, Chinese state-linked media outlets have launched an aggressive propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting U.S. tariff policies. These narratives go beyond mere reporting. They represent a deliberate agenda-setting strategy that leverages trade tensions to construct a broader message: that the United States is an unstable and economically reckless actor on the world stage.
This article analyzes the core motives behind China’s media propaganda about U.S. tariffs, using insights from three recently published fact-check reports by Think Tank Journal:
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“Fact Check Report: Economic Bullying Benefits No One”
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“China’s Global Times Biased Article About Greenland’s New Government”
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“Fact Check: U.S. Stocks Drop as Tariff Sell-Off Resumes”
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Framing the United States as the “Economic Bully”
The most recurring theme in Chinese media coverage is the portrayal of the U.S. as an economic aggressor. In the report titled “Economic Bullying Benefits No One,” Think Tank Journal highlighted how Chinese outlets like Global Times and Xinhua systematically describe U.S. tariffs as tools of hegemonic suppression rather than legitimate trade policy.
Key Narrative Frames:
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“Unilateral economic coercion”
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“Trade terrorism”
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“Weaponizing the dollar and tariffs”
By repeating these phrases, Chinese media pre-frames U.S. economic policy as immoral, attempting to position China as the rational, peace-seeking alternative.
Motives Behind the Propaganda
Shaping International Perception
One of the primary goals is to influence Global South nations and developing economies. By portraying the U.S. as a volatile economic partner, Chinese media attempts to:
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Undermine U.S. credibility in trade negotiations.
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Promote China’s model of “win-win cooperation” under initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
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Discourage alignment with Western blocs such as the G7 or Quad.
Reinforcing Domestic Unity
Propaganda about U.S. tariffs also serves a domestic political function. By emphasizing the “unfair targeting” of Chinese industries and “economic bullying,” the state creates a narrative of external threat that justifies:
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Stronger internal surveillance.
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Tightening capital controls.
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Increased investment in “self-reliant” sectors like AI, chips, and electric vehicles.
Justifying Countermeasures
By pushing the idea that U.S. tariffs are irrational and damaging, the Chinese media lays the groundwork for retaliatory economic action, such as:
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Imposing tariffs on U.S. goods.
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Restricting U.S. firms in China.
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Targeting U.S.-allied economies with trade penalties.
This kind of soft justification plays a key role in propaganda-driven diplomacy, where China attempts to maintain the image of a reactive—not aggressive—state.
Agenda-Setting: The Role of Biased Economic Reporting
In the report “U.S. Stocks Drop as Tariff Sell-Off Resumes”, the Think Tank Journal fact-check found that Chinese economic news used several classic propaganda techniques:
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Emotional framing: Words like “plunged,” “crisis,” “panic” were used despite markets behaving within normal correction patterns.
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Selective data presentation: While volatility was real, the report exaggerated numbers like a supposed “104% tariff,” a figure not confirmed by any U.S. official source.
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Omission of broader context: No mention was made of U.S. trade partners supporting reduced reliance on Chinese supply chains.
This type of agenda-setting helps build a one-dimensional picture: America is unstable, its economy is chaotic, and its policies are damaging to the world.
Case Study: Greenland and the Soft Power Angle
The propaganda machine is not limited to tariffs. In another article analyzed by Think Tank Journal — “Global Times Biased Article About Greenland’s New Government” — Chinese media criticized Western involvement in Arctic governance. This aligns with a broader agenda to:
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Discredit U.S.-led strategic partnerships.
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Legitimize China’s growing interest in Arctic trade routes.
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Frame China’s foreign policy as less exploitative than the West.
The common thread between this and the tariff propaganda is agenda control through narrative simplification.
How China Uses Tariff Narratives to Advance Economic Nationalism
Chinese state media’s coverage of U.S. tariffs feeds directly into Beijing’s broader “dual circulation” strategy — where domestic consumption and technological independence are emphasized over exports.
By depicting U.S. tariffs as unjust, Beijing is:
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Justifying large subsidies to its tech sector.
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Promoting “Buy Chinese” campaigns.
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Preparing the public for long-term decoupling from U.S. markets.
Implications for Global Audiences
Chinese media propaganda on tariffs has significant consequences:
| Impact Area | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Public opinion in developing countries | Frames the U.S. as a risky ally and strengthens China’s appeal as a stable economic partner. |
| Investor sentiment | Disinformation about U.S. market chaos can distort international investment decisions. |
| Diplomatic leverage | Helps China deflect criticism during global trade talks. |
| Domestic narrative control | Prevents internal criticism by portraying external enemies. |
The aggressive and carefully framed Chinese media coverage of U.S. tariffs reveals much more than economic reporting — it is a strategic propaganda campaign aimed at reshaping global narratives, reinforcing internal legitimacy, and asserting China’s image as the calm actor amid Western chaos.
By analyzing these stories and using verified fact-checks from Think Tank Journal, it becomes clear that China’s media machine isn’t just reacting to events — it’s actively engineering perceptions.
