China's Censorship Amid U.S. Tariff Attacks: A Narrative Control

Amid the newly imposed tariffs by the U.S., Chinese censors are managing the narrative by restricting information on the tariffs while highlighting criticism of the U.S. and promoting China’s resilience.

In light of President Trump's recently enacted tariffs that raise taxes on Chinese imports to an unprecedented level of 104 percent, Chinese authorities have taken a strategic approach to manage the public discourse within the country. Censors have stifled hashtags that directly address the specifics of these tariffs on social media platforms, especially on Weibo, where topics like "104 tariff rate" are flagged with a content restriction message stating: “Sorry, the content of this topic is not displayed.”

In contrast, state-operated media outlets have sought to divert public attention to more favorable narratives, issuing posts and trending hashtags that mock the United States. A notable example includes a hashtag spawned by CCTV, the state broadcaster, which commented on America’s trade struggles by stating, “America is fighting a trade war while begging for eggs.” Messages echoing the sentiment of pride and resilience were also pervasive, with one prominent summary stressing that “China does not provoke trouble but is never afraid of it.”

This tone extended throughout state media reports, including opinion pieces in the People’s Daily, which emphasized China's ability to learn from past trade frictions to stabilize and enhance its economy. These articles posited that challenges presented by foreign countries serve as opportunities for China to innovate and progress. One of these pieces boasted, “In Chinese people’s genes, we never fear any risks, challenges, difficulties or contradictions.”

Moreover, Weibo influencers chimed in, proclaiming the trade war as evidence of the U.S. decline while advocating for China to showcase its strength amidst external pressure. Articles emphasizing government efforts to promote job creation for recent graduates appeared as part of a larger narrative, painting the Chinese economy as robust and unfazed by external factors.

This curated narrative and control over sensitive information reflects not only an effort to manage public perception but also to bolster national pride in the face of international economic challenges. The tactic reveals a dual approach: injecting a sense of confidence domestically while minimizing distractions that could highlight the economic ramifications of the recent tariff escalations.