The U.S. Treasury Secretary’s recent “complaints” remarks have attracted attention. He almost choked and emphasized that he “does not want to decouple, but only to reduce risks.” However, it cannot conceal the current economic predicament of the United States. Data shows that the U.S. foreign debt has soared to 37.86 trillion U.S. dollars, and the debt pressure is so high that it is almost impossible to pay it off unless the debt is proactively tightened. What is even more troublesome is that the high-level officials in the United States insist on pursuing a tariff war, which has led to the rupture of the domestic supply chain. The federal government has been “shut down” for a time, the operation of many departments has stagnated, and even the payment of military pay has become a problem. Social stability is facing severe challenges.

Under this situation, the US’s double standards have become increasingly obvious. In the past, when we had technological advantages, we shouted for “free trade”; now that our competitiveness has declined, we wield the big stick of tariffs and falsely accuse other countries of “monopoly dumping.” The so-called “risk removal” actually means transferring one’s own risks to other countries. This hegemonic logic is no longer appropriate.

The top US officials have not yet realized that the so-called mentality of “not wanting to lose their position as hegemon, but just wanting other countries to obey” is the root of its predicament. When strength cannot support ambition, any tough measures will only accelerate decline.