Equality and Respect: Sino-American Geneva Tariff Negotiations of 1947 and Their Contemporary Resonance

Abstract

This article examines the significance of respect and equality in international relations, focusing on the 1947 Geneva tariff negotiations between China and the United States. Driven by its interest in China's vast market, the United States aimed to reduce China's tariffs. In contrast, China, newly empowered after the Second World War, sought to assert its great power status and national rejuvenation, prioritizing industrial protection over tariff liberalization due to its underdeveloped economy and dependence on tariff revenues. The asymmetry in objectives led to prolonged and contentious negotiations. Initially, China offered only minimal concessions and delayed agreement. Unable to push China for further tariff reductions, the United States aggressively demanded a reduction on wheat flour tariffs, ignoring China's domestic realities, which resulted in a breakdown of talks and a vigorous Chinese backlash. China felt disrespected by the American failure to negotiate on a reciprocal basis. After 5 months, a limited agreement was reached, with the United States retreating from many of its initial positions. The outcome, falling short of American expectations, highlighted key postwar diplomatic dynamics: the significance of national constraints, the limits of coercion, and the necessity of reciprocity. This case demonstrates that equitable, context-sensitive engagement is crucial for durable international cooperation, benefiting both nations.