The U.S. aims to build an international coalition to limit trade with Beijing — in exchange for tariff reductions and preferential treatment. But how realistic is this plan?
A New Vector: From Bilateral Pressure to an International Coalition
The Trump administration is shifting from direct trade pressure on China to a more sophisticated strategy of international isolation. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. is developing a plan under which over 70 countries would be offered a deal: restrict trade and economic ties with China in exchange for lowered American tariffs.
The initiative comes from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent — a previously low-profile figure who is now putting forward a proposal that could radically reshape global trade alliances.
Mechanism of Pressure: Tariffs, Delisting, and Restrictions on Chinese Companies
The core of the plan is simple: U.S. partner nations would refrain from hosting Chinese companies, limit the re-export of Chinese goods, and reduce consumption of cheap Chinese products. In return, they would receive tariff relief from the U.S. and potential access to trade preferences.
Additional domestic measures are also under consideration — from new tariffs to the possible delisting of Chinese stocks from American exchanges. Once considered unlikely, this step is now seen as part of a broader campaign to “decouple” the two economies.
Strategic Calculation: Negotiations with Beijing on New Terms
As WSJ emphasizes, Washington’s ultimate goal is not total isolation of China but rather a rebalancing of leverage ahead of possible negotiations between Trump and Xi Jinping. The fewer economic channels available to China, the greater the chances for the U.S. to impose its agenda.
Trump himself expressed a similar sentiment on April 15, stating: “China needs to make a deal with us — we don’t need to make a deal with them.”
Realism of the Strategy: Who’s in the Alliance and Who’s Still Thinking?
At this point, it’s unclear which countries are ready to accept the U.S. offer. According to sources, demands will be tailored individually to each country, depending on their level of integration with the Chinese economy. However, the more economically entangled a country is with China, the harder the political decision will be.
Some nations — especially in Southeast Asia — are already playing a double game: strengthening ties with China while trying to maintain trade privileges with the U.S. Vietnam is a clear example — a U.S. partner that welcomed Xi Jinping this week and signed dozens of economic agreements with him.
Risks and Consequences: Tariffs, Markets, and Global Supply Chains
Amid Washington’s intensifying trade rhetoric, the U.S. has already imposed “mirror tariffs” on over 200 countries. Although a temporary moratorium and a base rate of 10% were introduced for some goods, all measures against China remain intact. The cumulative U.S. tariff rate has reached 145%. Beijing responded with tariffs of up to 125% and export restrictions on rare earth metals — a key resource for high-tech industries.
Financial markets have reacted negatively to the escalation of trade tensions. Analysts warn of the risk of a U.S. recession, the weakening of global supply chains, and declining business activity.
Outlook: Can Washington Build an Anti-China Coalition?
In theory, the U.S. proposal could appeal to countries suffering from Chinese dumping. But in practice, few are willing to break openly with China — the world’s second-largest economic partner. Especially considering that China continues to develop trade diplomacy, offers infrastructure investments, and participates in global initiatives like the Belt and Road.
As Arthur Kroeber, director of the research firm Dragonomics, notes, the U.S. risks losing the trade war for three reasons: lack of consensus among allies, China’s ability to adapt to pressure, and Washington’s limited leverage.
Isolation as Strategy, Not Yet Reality
Bessent’s strategy is an attempt to rethink the tools of pressure on China — not only through direct tariffs but through globally restructuring the trade order. However, the success of this initiative hinges on third countries’ willingness to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term loyalty to the U.S.
For now, China is showing that it can pivot and adapt, while Washington risks standing alone in a new phase of trade confrontation.