In name only: I will break the chess game in Handong

When it came to Chen Luo, both Blinken and Sullivan frowned, simply because he was too young!

Moreover, Chen Luo's composure and handsome demeanor made him seem completely unlike someone who was new to diplomatic work.

"Welcome to America, Mr. Chen. I believe that the dialogue between our two sides can play a huge role."

This is what the translator next to him repeated; of course, Chen Luo could understand it even without a translator.

"Then I look forward to our next dialogue!"

Chen Luo simply smiled faintly and uttered those words.

Click! The photo of the two shaking hands was captured perfectly!

Chapter 511 Unbelieving in evil, unafraid of evil!

After dealing with the reporters taking photos, the group went into the hotel.

Upon entering a spacious hall, a huge conference table comes into view, adorned with the flags of both countries, with five seats on each side.

As Blinken gestured for him to sit down, Chen Luo followed Director Yang and Minister Yi to their seats.

Director Yang was in the middle, with Ministers Chen Luo and Yi sitting on either side, followed by the translators and recorders.

The situation was the same in the United States, with Secretary of State Blinken sitting in the middle, flanked by Sullivan and Treasury Secretary Janet.

"Mr. Yang, Mr. Yi, Mr. Chen, first of all, on behalf of the United States of America, I welcome you to Alaska, to our beautiful and great free world."

As Blinken spoke, the translator translated as well. Director Yang smiled upon hearing this and got straight to the point, saying, "Mr. Blinken is now warm and smiling."

However, the issues we're about to discuss are complex and might lead to heated arguments, so I hope Mr. Blinken can continue to maintain his smile.

Both sides nodded, and the first meeting officially began.

"Mr. Yang, Mr. Yi, Mr. Chen, let's begin the discussion of the first topic."

In the past two years, there have been constant economic frictions between our two countries, but your country has consistently refused to face its own problems.

We are not intentionally imposing economic sanctions on your country; it is a last resort. Regarding trade, we hope your country can make concessions.

This is simply about the trade surplus and deficit, a problem that has no solution.

Neither side is willing to compromise on this issue, because if they back down, all the previous efforts of both sides will be in vain.

"Mr. Blinken, your accusations are disheartening. Our country conducts normal trade in accordance with international trade regulations, and we have been at peace for more than a decade."

It seems that the friction arose because the United States was the first to wield the tariff stick.

I don't think we deserve this blame. I also hope that the United States can face up to its own problems and restore the normal trade relations of a few years ago.

Restoring normal tariff levels.

The two sides continued to grapple with this issue, which was the core contradiction of the entire meeting.

This contradiction is destined to remain unresolved.

After another half hour of verbal sparring, Blinken was red-faced and his neck was swollen, and Director Yang was also sweating slightly on his forehead.

Seeing that it was difficult to get through to Director Yang, Blinken's gaze fell directly on Chen Luo!

He felt that Chen Luo, this newcomer, would be a breakthrough!

"Mr. Chen, you must have heard the conversation between Mr. Yang and me just now clearly."

China's huge annual trade surplus will continue to drain the wealth of the United States.

In this respect, we Americans are the ones who have suffered losses. Do you agree?

This sounds righteous and assertive, as if America is the victim of this trade deficit.

That is indeed the case.

With a slight smile, Chen Luo shook his head.

Mr. Blinken is now blushing.

Mr. Blinken must have been drinking before the talks began, which is why he said such incoherent things.

Trade surpluses and deficits are both forms of economic activity and cannot be arbitrarily changed by human will.

I noticed a phenomenon.

Decades ago, the United States was the world's factory, and it almost always had a trade surplus with the rest of the world.

Later, Fujian province inherited the title of the world's factory and achieved trade surpluses with countries around the world.

This also applies to the United States, which I believe is the result of the hard work of its workers.

Similarly, China is now the world's new factory, and the trade surplus is created little by little by millions of ordinary Chinese people through their hard work.

If, as Mr. Blinken says, we are the ones who benefit and the Americans are the ones who suffer, then I think this only shows that we Chinese are more diligent, while the American people have become lazy.

Sometimes we need to look for problems within ourselves.

Mr. Blinken, do American workers work 12-hour shifts?

Is there a machine that runs 24 hours a day without stopping?

One should be honest, and in this respect, Mr. Blinken is not so honest, though it's highly likely that he drank alcohol before the meeting.

Upon hearing this, both Director Yang and Minister Yi laughed. When did Chen Luo become so pedantic?

Across from him, Blinken blushed even more upon hearing this.

If he continues to go along with Chen Luo's words, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting that all Americans are lazy?

If you admit you actually drank alcohol, then there's no point in continuing the conversation.

You try to reason with others, and they try to reason with you too. Now that you can't win the argument, how about forcibly denying it? That's not impossible, but then it's just more empty talk, a complete waste of time.

Blinken took a deep breath and gave Chen Luo a thorough look. This young man was not easy to deal with.

"Mr. Yang, let's leave the trade friction issue here for now. I'll give you time to think it over. Next, let's talk about military issues."

In recent years, your military development has been rapid, seriously threatening peace and stability in the surrounding region. Small countries are complaining bitterly. We, the United States, hope that you will stop developing your military and ease tensions in the region.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Blinken, but I still disagree with your point of view. The United States' annual military spending is almost the sum of ours and the countries behind it. If we consider the level of danger, the United States is the most influential factor affecting world peace and stability."

"That's different. We Americans are here to protect sacred private property and to safeguard the world."

"What a coincidence! We are also doing this to protect the interests of the people and to maintain world peace!"

"You are more aggressive!"

"We drink when friends come, and we shoot when wolves come. I don't know how Mr. Blinken came to this conclusion. Perhaps it's true, as Minister Chen said, that you've been drinking."

The talks have reached a stalemate, which is normal, as it's impossible to achieve anything from the first meeting.

Both sides are testing each other's bottom line and attitude.

If you are weaker, the other side will be stronger. Right now, they are still speaking softly, but the tension is gradually rising.

“Mr. Yang, the United States has always been the world’s leader in technology, economy, and military. I believe the weak should obey the orders of the strong!”

As Blinken finished speaking, Director Yang's tone suddenly changed.

"Mr. Blinken, your America has no right to say that you are speaking to us on the basis of strength!"

Seventy years ago you didn't have this qualification, and seventy years later it's the same. We Chinese people don't believe in or fear evil!

If you want to try it out, we're all in!

Click, click—both Chinese and American journalists were recording this historic moment.

For a moment, Blinken was stunned. Faced with Director Yang's tough attitude, he hesitated. Silence is the most silent concession at the negotiating table, and both sides knew this!

(We can't see each other's comments now, sigh, it's a little scary...)

Chapter 512 The Clash at the Second Meeting

“Mr. Yang, I think we can take a break first and give you ample time to consider our American proposal. Under our trade and economic sanctions, your import and export trade is not doing well. You still need to recognize reality!”

Blinken changed the subject, no longer dwelling on honor and disgrace.

"Mr. Blinken, I also want to remind you very seriously that it is a fact that our import and export trade is not doing well, and it is also a fact that the lives of your people are not good."

I don't need to remind you how fast prices have risen in the US in the last two years; keep gambling and stubbornly holding on.

No one can predict who will give up first.

However, our people have always possessed a spirit of hard work and perseverance, unlike the people of your country who, at the slightest dissatisfaction, will take up arms and take to the streets to protest.

Blinken frowned upon hearing this.

"Mr. Yang, this precisely demonstrates that America possesses freedom and democracy! It's not a bad thing!"

"Whatever makes you happy..."

Director Yang smiled faintly and said that everything should be viewed dialectically. The prerequisite for having freedom and democracy is being able to eat your fill. If you can't even eat your fill, why talk about these lofty things?

Without further verbal sparring, the two sides quickly concluded the meeting.

Everyone wore serious expressions, but as they walked out of the hotel lobby, their smiles returned...

The reason was simple: reporters from all over the world flocked to them.

"Hello Mr. Yang, we are from AFP. What was the outcome of your talks with the United States?"

Director Yang paused, adjusted his glasses, and said seriously, "There are some frictions and conflicts of interest between our two sides in terms of trade and national security. The atmosphere of the talks was friendly, and we also had a full discussion on the existing contradictions."

The outcome of the talks will require multiple rounds of discussion before a final decision can be made.

Of course, this is if the United States is willing to make concessions and promote world peace.

Then the speed will be increased!

After saying that, Director Yang walked past the reporter and left.

At the same time, Minister Yi also finished the interview, and Chen Luo followed behind, got into the car and drove towards the hotel.

Back at the hotel, in the conference room, Chen Luo and the other two began planning the next phase of their talks.

Three cups of tea were brewing on the table. Chen Luo took a sip to moisten his throat, then smiled faintly and said, "Director Yang, Minister Yi, the United States is indeed difficult to deal with, but the talks are still a psychological game overall, and no one knows the bottom line of either side."

Upon hearing this, Director Yang chimed in, "It's essentially a test of the other party's bottom line, but we can't keep dragging this out like this."