Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington on Feb. 7. (Kotaro Ebara)

“Even lush green mountains cannot block the flow of water.”

This evocative quote from a Chinese poem dating to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) appeared prominently in the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, in 1999.

It was cited by then-Chinese President Jiang Zemin (1926-2022) to symbolize the unstoppable momentum toward China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

To fully appreciate the significance of these poetic lines, some historical context is necessary.

In the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, the Chinese Communist Party's regime became increasingly committed to integrating the country into the global free trade system.

During this period, it appears that Jiang actively pursued diplomatic engagement with the United States while simultaneously striving to convince senior party officials who were skeptical or openly opposed to joining the WTO.

In 2001, China's longstanding ambition was finally realized. After striking a deal with the United States in intensive negotiations, China became a member of the WTO. With membership secured, Beijing accelerated its economic reforms and development, rapidly expanding its presence in the global marketplace.

A quarter-century has passed since China's decisive turning point toward global economic integration, and today we might be witnessing one significant consequence of China's ascent and the relative decline of U.S. power.

Is the international economic order, as we have known it, standing on the brink of radical and irreversible change due to U.S. President Donald Trump’s disruptive trade agenda?

His recent announcement of a dramatic shift in global trade relations has sent shock waves worldwide.

"April 2, 2025, will be forever remembered as the day American industry was reborn, America's destiny reclaimed and our nation's wealth restored," Trump declared triumphantly, leaving many observers speechless.

Would it be an exaggeration to describe the implementation of a uniform 10 percent tariff on imports from nearly every country as tantamount to declaring economic war on the world?

Furthermore, Trump's plan includes imposing significantly higher "reciprocal" tariffs on trade partners that tax American exports—a 24 percent tariff on imports from Japan, for example, and a 34 percent tariff on imports from China.

Yet the potential harm inflicted upon the United States by such aggressive and disruptive policies could indeed be enormous.

Returning to the original story, that Song Dynasty verse includes a corresponding line: "All water flows to the east." Reflecting on this now, it seems loaded with a deeper meaning.

Where exactly is this "east"? From China's perspective, does it point toward Japan, toward the United States, or perhaps, circling the globe, does it inevitably return to China itself?

One cannot help but wonder if the world is indeed standing at the brink of an unprecedented global tragedy.

—The Asahi Shimbun, April 4

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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