中国以针对性措施反制美国技术限制 - 2026-08-06

Precision, not escalation

Trade disputes are often judged by how hard each side strikes. China’s latest response suggests that another measure may matter more: how precisely it strikes.

The CCC measure is a targeted adjustment rather than a sweeping restriction. It changes one part of the certification process without disrupting the broader framework governing market access.

But China has neither suspended CCC certification applications from US companies nor closed its market to products from the United States. The compliance channel remains open. What has changed is the boundary of regulatory cooperation.

This reflects a more measured approach to managing bilateral frictions. Instead of broad retaliation, the latest measures focus on specific points where China can respond proportionately while retaining room for future dialogue.

As competition between major economies becomes more complex, precision may prove more effective than escalation. A response that is targeted, restrained and reversible sends a signal of resolve without closing the door to engagement.

Hu Qimu is a professor of the Maritime Silk Road Institute, Huaqiao University.

Rules should not become weapons

China’s latest response goes beyond traditional tariff measures. By using certification regulation as a reciprocal instrument, Beijing is responding to what it sees as the weaponization of rules rather than simply escalating tariff disputes.

The focus is not on products themselves but on the technical governance mechanisms that increasingly shape global competition. This approach seeks to create a more balanced response while avoiding a cycle of tariff retaliation.

Technical certification should serve its original purpose of ensuring safety and compliance, not become another tool of geopolitical competition.

Wang Dong is a professor at the School of International Studies and executive director of the Institute for Global Cooperation and Understanding at Peking University.

Source: China Daily