In recent months China has gone through great lengths to position itself as the cool-headed, peace-loving, and rational alternative. This discrepancy underscores the dramatic, chaotic foreign policy of the Trump administration. Chinese leader Xi Jinping often expresses a decidedly more ambitious agenda. Reforming what he perceives to be an unjust global order led by the United States and its allies for too long is something he has recommended for a while. As tensions rise globally, China’s leaders are attempting to reshape perceptions, positioning their nation as a dependable partner in international relations.
At the center of this strategy is China’s eye-popping $1.2 trillion annual global trade surplus. Analysts warn that this surplus creates a threat for domestic industries across the globe, and in Europe in particular. In a concerted effort to bolster its image, China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng engaged with international counterparts, emphasizing that Beijing “never seeks trade surplus” but instead faces trade barriers on security grounds. Underlying this new rhetoric is a desire to make China appear to be more of a team player in the global economy and less of an enemy.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has been particularly eager to adopt this narrative, recently floating the idea of a “strategic partnership” with China. Carney’s recent speech at Davos highlighted his view that this “American hegemony” forms the core of a made-up “international rules based order.” He argued that the global economy should view China’s development as an opportunity rather than a threat, stating that “China is a trading partner, not a rival, for other countries.”
China’s attempts to tighten these influence strings is not just happening in Canada. Squaring this circle are a growing number of European leaders, not least Britain’s Keir Starmer, arguing for greater engagement with China. The British government has approved the construction of a new Chinese “mega” embassy near London’s financial district, signifying a willingness to deepen ties. By contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized China’s expanding economic power in his Davos address.
These actions weaken the United States’ position as a credible leader on rules-based international order and democracy. In the process, China gets the opportunity to expand its own influence. The U.S. administration’s threats to impose tariffs and assert control over territories such as Greenland have inadvertently provided China’s leadership with opportunities to advocate for its agenda.
China continues to aggressively pursue all their territorial claims, most belligerently against Taiwan. This diplomatic ambition makes China’s international relations much harder. Further, as Beijing’s material and ideological influence expands, it hopes to position itself as a countervailing or even stabilizing force during times of global upheaval. He Lifeng articulated this vision by stating, “We’re upholding consensus and solidarity, and cooperation over division and confrontation, and providing China’s solutions to the common problems of the world.”
Mark Carney’s perspective highlights the potential pitfalls of underestimating China’s rise. He cautioned that the world can no longer afford to take China’s rise as a given. He further noted the value of past critiques of authoritarian regimes and the need to maintain a rigorous approach to diplomacy.
China’s leaders consistently tout their plans to build a “community with a shared future.” Yet, they are meticulous in showcasing their commitment to multilateralism and free trade. The story they tell serves to reassure other countries that dealing with China is rewarding, not dangerous.
