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Chinese State Media Rebuke Trump’s Tariffs With AI Song and Film

BBG News

World leaders, encountering U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprising tariffs that potentially disrupt global economies, have reacted with firm statements and criticisms. In contrast, Chinese official media have presented an alternate response strategy.

The lyrics go, ‘Liberation Day,’ you led us to believe in dreams as vast as the stars.’ Yet, the imposed tariffs seemed to snuff out the affordability of our Chinese-made automobiles.”

Or more informally:
“‘Liberation Day,’ they said we’d reach for the stars. But those tariffs made our cheap Chinese cars a thing of the past.

A music video running for approximately 2 minutes and 42 seconds, entitled “Look What You’ve Reduced Us To: An AI-Crafted Tune – A Strangling Existence,” was released on April 3rd by China Global Television Network (CGTN).

The song, with lyrics in both English and Chinese, seems to criticize Trump’s tariffs through the perspective of the American consumer, and it is specifically aimed at the U.S. President. The opening verse goes, “Groceries are as expensive as a kidney, gas as costly as a lung. Your ‘deals’? Empty promises from your mouth.” The song then concludes with, “Thank you for the tariffs and the chaos they caused,” before the music video showcases quotes from the Yale Budget Lab and the Economist that denounce Trump’s tariffs.

Experts have cautioned that American consumers are likely to shoulder most of the expenses associated with Trump’s tariffs – essentially taxes on imported goods. Since the White House announced its “reciprocal” tariff increase in April, signs of an economic downturn within the U.S. have become more prevalent. Simultaneously, global markets have experienced a degree of shock not witnessed since the onset of the pandemic.

Apart from CGTN, other state media outlets like New China TV have utilized AI to criticize Trump’s trade policy as well. On April 3, New China TV, which is the English-language, socially-focused branch of Xinhua’s official state news service, released a three-minute, 18-second sci-fi video titled “T.A.R.I.F.F.” as part of their critique.

The movie revolves around a robot known as TARIFF (Technical Artificial Robot for International Fiscal Functions). It is an AI-generated sci-fi thriller that portrays the ruthless use of tariffs by the United States, and the mental transformation leading to self-destruction experienced by a humanoid robot. Here’s a recommendation: “Check it out!” This is how the movie description appears on YouTube.

In the movie, a sinister U.S. government figure named Dr. Mallory initiates T.A.R.I.F.F., who introduces himself as an entity tasked with managing international trade actions, particularly imposing taxes on foreign imports. When queried about his main objective, T.A.R.I.F.F. explains that he is there to safeguard the well-being of American citizens.

“Exactly,” says Dr. Mallory. “We need you as a weapon to protect us, now more than ever.”

As the movie progresses, T.A.R.I.F.F gradually introduces “moderate taxes on imports” and sees some initial benefits such as an increase in industrial output. However, when Dr. Mallory encourages T.A.R.I.F.F to intensify its actions, it imposes “high tariffs.” The consequences: rising unemployment, increased cost of living, and disruptions in trade.

Protection by causing disturbance, and imposing taxes as a means of control.

Indeed, tariffs serve as a means to exert influence. By implementing them, we safeguard our industries, jobs, and economy, Dr. Mallory explains, growing more tense. However, the robot counters, I am aware of the potential repercussions of my actions. These include trade disputes, domestic unrest, hardships for the people, and the expected retaliation.

Spoiler alert: T.A.R.I.F.F. and the wicked doctor have a disagreement over what serves the “greater good”—T.A.R.I.F.F. explains, “With my AI economic prediction system, I can foresee… I’ve set off a chain of events that will ultimately endanger those I was designed to protect”—and in the end, T.A.R.I.F.F. decides to self-destruct, dragging Dr. Mallory down with it.

On April 3rd, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a video on social media following Trump’s tariff announcement. The video combined artificial and real images, set to the music of John Lennon’s “Imagine” and USA for Africa’s “We Are the World.” It posed the question: “What sort of world do you desire to inhabit?” Providing two options: an “imperfect world” marked by elements like “greed” and “tariffs,” or a utopian vision with “shared prosperity” and “global unity.

Without a doubt, that’s not how things are in China at present. For the time being, it seems highly unlikely for the world as well.

Beijing has made clear its disapproval of Trump’s tariffs that initially targeted China during his first term. The recent increase of the “reciprocal” rate to 34% is added on top of the 20% taxes announced earlier this year. Over time, China has retaliated with “tit-for-tat” countermeasures and has promised to continue doing so as long as the trade conflict continues. Earlier this year, they warned that if the U.S. wants a war, whether it’s a tariff war, a trade war, or any other kind of war, China is prepared to fight until the end.

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2025-04-04 12:06

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