On July 5th， reports emerged indicating that the United States had overnight lifted export restrictions on certain technologies to China， specifically impacting the supply of engines for the C919 aircraft and EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software. This sudden reversal of policy has prompted questions about the underlying motivations behind the U.S. decision.
In response to these developments， Wang Fan， President of the China Foreign Affairs University， shared his insights during a media interview. He characterized the U.S. move to ease some restrictions as a positive and commendable step， building upon the constructive foundation laid during previous trade talks in Geneva and London between China and the U.S.
President Wang clarified that this adjustment should not be perceived as a unilateral act of magnanimity or a “gift” from the United States to China. Instead， he posited that it represents a partial return to the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation， a pragmatic approach that aligns with the broader interests of both nations.
He further cautioned against interpreting the U.S. action as a concession. From a historical perspective， the trade policies enacted under the Trump administration often exhibited a pattern of alternating between tightening and loosening restrictions. Wang Fan suggested that this recent policy shift might also follow a similar， albeit hopefully less volatile， trajectory.
Wang Fan emphasized that if the fundamental nature of the U.S. approach towards China does not undergo a substantial and lasting adjustment， there remains a possibility of the U.S. exerting unreasonable pressure through alternative channels in the future. Such actions could negatively impact the overall trajectory of U.S.-China relations， necessitating continued vigilance and preparedness on China’s part.
“Should the economic pillar， which serves as a ballast for U.S.-China relations， cease to exist， the U.S. might resort to new provocative policies in the political and security spheres， which would equally affect bilateral ties，” he stated.
