Chinese state media article titled “‘America First’ cannot deprive other nations”, dissecting its framing techniques, fake or misleading elements, and broader geopolitical context. The article critiques U.S. tariff policies as violations of global trade ethics, but embeds multiple propaganda tactics, exaggerations, and selective framing.
Fact Check:
True:
- The U.S. has indeed imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, including a recent increase to 100%+ on EV imports from China (April 2024).
- China retaliated with counter-tariffs on U.S. imports.
- The WTO does prioritize non-discrimination and free trade, and the U.S. has faced criticism for violating WTO principles since the Trump era.
Propaganda-Driven:
- Claim: “America First deprives other nations of their development rights.”
Fact Check: Misleading framing. Tariffs affect trade competitiveness, not sovereign development rights. WTO rules allow for protective measures under certain conditions, including national security or anti-dumping clauses. - Claim: “America First is a betrayal of humanity’s shared values.”
Fact Check: Emotional hyperbole. Trade policy disagreements are not equivalent to moral or humanitarian violations. - Claim: “High tariffs caused 245,000 U.S. job losses.”
Fact Check: The cited US-China Business Council study has been debated. Other studies suggest a net reshuffling of employment rather than total job destruction. - Claim: “The U.S. policy has universally isolated it from traditional allies.”
Fact Check: Exaggeration. While friction exists, the U.S. still leads G7, NATO, and key tech alliances like the Chip 4 (U.S., Japan, South Korea, Taiwan).
Framing Analysis:
Chinese state media frequently uses agenda-setting and framing theory to push soft power narratives. Here’s how this article does it:
A. Moral Framing
The article claims the U.S. is violating the “universal right to development,” using moral absolutism to make economic decisions sound like ethical crimes. This turns a geopolitical rivalry into a moral battle, simplifying the narrative for domestic and Global South audiences.
B. Us vs. Them Dichotomy
- The U.S. is portrayed as selfish, hegemonic, and isolated.
- China is framed as the defender of multilateralism, victim of injustice, and voice of the Global South.
- Allies like the EU and Canada are selectively quoted to suggest global anti-American unity, which doesn’t reflect full diplomatic realities.
C. Fear and Consequence Amplification
Statements like “the decline of U.S. credibility is inevitable” exaggerate possible consequences without hard data. These are fear-based appeals targeting international readers concerned about U.S. unilateralism.
D. Emotional Language & Loaded Terms
Terms like:
- “Selfish and short-sighted approach”
- “Systematic deprivation”
- “Betrayal of humanity’s shared values”
are classic examples of loaded language, aiming to provoke emotional reactions rather than rational discussion.
Propaganda Objectives:
This article serves multiple strategic communication goals:
Domestic Legitimacy
- Reinforces the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as the protector of national dignity and sovereignty.
- Depicts the U.S. as an aggressor, rallying public opinion against “foreign economic containment.”
Global South Outreach
- Appeals to countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia that have grievances about Western trade dominance.
- Portrays China as a fellow victim and advocate for a “fairer” global economic order.
Diplomatic Counterweight
- Aims to discredit U.S. leadership at the WTO and in global institutions.
- Promotes an alternative world order based on BRICS, Belt and Road Initiative, and other China-led platforms.
4. Cognitive Biases Exploited in the Article
| Cognitive Bias | How It’s Used |
|---|---|
| Confirmation Bias | Reinforces readers’ pre-existing anti-U.S. views. |
| Appeal to Emotion | Uses moral panic and nationalism to bypass logical analysis. |
| False Consensus Effect | Suggests global unity against America when it’s actually fragmented. |
| Framing Bias | Reframes trade policy as a moral injustice rather than an economic strategy. |
5. Geopolitical Context:
- The U.S. is trying to decouple or “de-risk” from China, especially in EVs, semiconductors, and defense-critical goods.
- These tariffs are part of a larger geo-economic war that includes AI, chips, and 5G infrastructure.
- China is using media narratives to shape international public opinion, especially in non-aligned or undecided regions.
Citations:
- U.S. Trade Representative Office, 2024 Tariff Review: https://ustr.gov/
- World Trade Organization (WTO) Tariff Commitments: https://www.wto.org/
- US-China Business Council, 2021 Job Loss Study: https://www.uschina.org/
- Reuters, “Biden quadruples EV tariffs on China,” April 2024: https://www.reuters.com/
- BBC, “EU Tariffs on US Steel,” March 2024: https://www.bbc.com/news/business
- Financial Times, “Canada, EU and US Trade Tensions,” April 2024
- Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) – Decoupling Report, 2023
- Brookings Institution – “China’s Narrative Warfare”, 2022: https://www.brookings.edu/
- International Trade Centre – Global Trade and Tariff Database: https://www.intracen.org/
