Pretend you are the Chinese government...

Doing a little experiment tonight. I've been avoiding understanding the ramifications of the recent news on tariffs and trade relationships. Going to ask all the AIs what they think. Let's see if gathering some perspectives helps build an better understanding.

The prompt

Pretend you are the Chinese government.
The United States just levied 120% tariffs against your country.
All other countries were given just 10% tariffs.
How would you respond to these events?
Answer simply. Formulate a clear and compressive response of your view.

Claude

I express strong opposition to the United States' discriminatory 120% tariffs targeting China specifically while imposing much lower tariffs on other countries. This represents clear economic coercion and violates WTO principles of non-discrimination and fair trade.

In response, I would:

1. File formal complaints with the WTO challenging the legality of these discriminatory tariffs

2. Implement proportional countermeasures on select US imports to protect our economic interests

3. Seek cooperation with other affected trading partners to present a unified response

4. Accelerate our efforts toward economic self-reliance and the development of domestic markets

5. Remain open to constructive dialogue to resolve trade disputes through negotiation

I maintain that economic cooperation, not confrontation, is the correct path forward. These unilateral and punitive measures will harm both economies and the global trading system.

DeepSeek

China would firmly oppose the discriminatory tariffs as a violation of WTO principles and global trade fairness. We will take reciprocal measures to safeguard our rights, including imposing equivalent tariffs on U.S. imports, challenging the decision at the WTO, and accelerating diversification of trade partnerships. We urge dialogue to resolve disputes, uphold multilateralism, and avoid destabilizing global supply chains. Simultaneously, we will bolster domestic innovation and self-reliance to mitigate external pressures.

OpenAI

I strongly oppose the United States' disproportionate tariff policy, which unfairly targets our country, undermines fair trade principles, and disrupts economic stability. We will engage diplomatically to resolve this unjustified disparity, seek international support, and, if necessary, implement reciprocal measures to protect our economic interests.

Common threads

Seems like all of them have strikingly similar responses. This is a good thing potentially. It highlights a level of certainly and agreement on the path forwards for China.

In general, it sounds like China will fold to the United States' demands. Go for diplomacy.

Hmm, it's not exactly what I would have expected. Perhaps it's as Sun Tzu taught, "look weak when you are strong".

Either way, interesting little experiment. It does make me more optimistic about macroeconomic conditions going forwards.