China’s current trade tensions with the United States are being viewed through a historical lens, with President Xi Jinping drawing parallels to the Opium War. The narrative centers on Lin Zexu, a Qing dynasty official whose refusal to comply with British pressure to allow opium trade precipitated the Opium War and China’s subsequent defeats. Xi Jinping, like Lin Zexu, is positioning himself as a defender of national sovereignty and economic autonomy, using history to justify current trade policies and assert China’s global standing.
This historical reference underscores a strategic approach to the trade tensions, blending past resistance with contemporary economic maneuvering. By invoking the legacy of Lin Zex, Xi Jinping is reinforcing a narrative that China is protecting its core interests and resisting external pressures, much like his historical predecessor did. This framing not only provides a justification for the current policies but also serves to rally domestic support for the administration’s stance on trade and economic self-reliance.
The article highlights how historical memory plays a significant role in shaping political narratives. While the Opium War is remembered as a symbol of China’s historical weakness and humiliation, Lin Zexu is celebrated as a national hero for his resistance against foreign exploitation. This duality is reflected in Xi Jinping’s approach to managing trade relations with the United States, where he balances both the lessons of historical vulnerability and the virtues of resistance. Such a historical narrative provides a framework for understanding the complexities of the current trade disputes and the broader implications for international relations and economic policy.