第三，“中国失信论”是颠倒黑白。中美经贸磋商目前已进行了11轮，谈判进程不时出现反复和波折。一些美国政客将此归咎中国，给中国贴上“背弃承诺”的标签，扣上“立场倒退”的帽子。但回顾一年多的谈判进程，我们可以清晰看到，到底是谁在违背共识、出尔反尔。去年5月19日，中美就“不打贸易战”达成共识并发表联合声明，但10天后美方单方面撕毁协议，背弃共识；去年12月初，中美两国元首在阿根廷就经贸问题达成重要共识，同意停止相互加征新关税，为双方继续谈判创造了必要条件。然而，当双方还在紧锣密鼓地谈判时，美方又开始指责中国“立场倒退”，再次拾起“关税大棒”。在谈判磋商中，在所有问题达成协议之前，谈判桌上的一切都只是讨价还价的过程，根本不存在所谓“立场倒退”问题。事实上，面对美方得寸进尺和极限施压，中国始终坚持在相互尊重的基础上，相向而行，努力达成平等互利的协议，但善意和诚意并不意味着软弱和退让。任何国家都不要指望中国在重大原则问题上让步，吞下损害自身主权、安全、发展利益的苦果。

Thirdly, has China gone back on its words? Absolutely not. During the 11 rounds of consultations, there have naturally been twists and turns, but this does not justify the accusations from some American politicians that China is "breaking promises" or "stalling".

A brief review of the talks over the past year or so make it clear who is backtracking on bilateral agreements. On May 19, 2018, our two nations reached a consensus of "no trade war" via a joint statement, only for it to be unilaterally scrapped by the United States ten days later. At the last G-20 meeting in Argentina, the Presidents of the two countries agreed to stop imposing new tariffs to create the necessary conditions for talks. But just as discussions were underway, the United States once again picked up the "tariff club".

Before a final agreement is reached, whatever happens at the negotiation table is but a part of the bargaining process. It is therefore significant that, in the face of intimidation, coercion and exorbitant demands, China has remained committed to working with the US towards the same goal and reaching an equal and mutually beneficial agreement based on respect for one another. However, goodwill and sincerity should not be mistaken for weakness. China cannot be expected to back down on major issues of principle or compromise on its national sovereignty, security or development interests.

　　欧洲有句俗语，“谎言似荨麻，玩弄会刺手（Falsehood like a nettle stings those who meddle with it）”。面对正蔓延到北美、亚洲和欧洲国家上空的“贸易战阴云”，我们呼吁越来越多的国家不做“沉默的大多数”，勇敢地戳破美国政客的谎言，反对贸易霸凌主义，抵制保护主义和单边主义，维护世贸组织权威，建设开放型世界经济，共同开创世界经济的美好未来。

As the European proverb goes, "Falsehood, like a nettle, stings those who meddle with it". In face of the gathering clouds of trade war in North America, Asia and Europe, it is time for the "silent majority" to muster the courage to expose the lies of the American politicians, oppose trade bullying, and stand up against protectionism and unilateralism. If the world economy is to stay open and outward-looking, and work in the interests of all, then the authority of the World Trade Organisation must be upheld.