Jake Werner, Director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, addressed a conference in Beijing, discussing the motivations behind U.S. tariffs and the current political climate in America.

He noted that the global economy is facing significant turmoil due to the trade war initiated by the Trump administration, which began several months prior to mid-June 2025.

Werner pointed out that the Trump administration is moving away from the liberal democratic and free-market global system that the U.S. has supported since the 1980s.

He emphasized that the trade war reflects deeper political turmoil within the U.S., challenging existing institutions and norms.

Werner warned that failing to shift from a zero-sum mindset could lead to inevitable conflict, as insecurity begets insecurity among nations.

To prevent conflict, there needs to be a recognition that security for one nation may depend on security for others, promoting a cooperative approach to shared global challenges.

Both the U.S. and China share significant stakes in global trade and investment, face climate change threats, and have mutual interests in stability to prevent migration crises.

He suggested that recognizing these commonalities could foster empathy and lead to a collaborative agenda to address global issues.

However, there are many similarities and shared interests between the U.S. and China that both sides struggle to acknowledge, which hinders cooperation.