耶伦站了出来，称美国正被中国“捏着短板”，关税战是自己打自己

Core Viewpoint - The trade war initiated by the Trump administration against China, aimed at reducing the trade deficit and revitalizing the U.S. economy, is causing significant economic strain and may backfire, as highlighted by former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's warnings about the U.S. economy's vulnerabilities [1][3][5]. Economic Impact - The U.S. trade deficit with China reached $400 billion in 2024, prompting the Trump administration to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods to protect domestic industries and increase government revenue [3][5]. - The U.S. GDP contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, marking the worst performance since the pandemic recovery began, contradicting the administration's optimistic outlook [5][14]. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities - The U.S. heavily relies on China for critical materials, particularly rare earth elements, which account for over 70% of global supply, essential for high-tech manufacturing [5][9]. - Efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths have been largely unsuccessful, leading to increased production costs and factory shutdowns in the U.S. [7][9]. Inflation and Production Costs - Tariffs have led to rising costs for American manufacturers, as many imported goods are essential raw materials and components, resulting in higher prices for consumers and reduced production capacity [11][12]. - The increase in import costs is expected to lead to higher consumer prices across various sectors, including groceries, fuel, and electronics, putting additional financial pressure on households [16]. Long-term Economic Concerns - Yellen emphasized that the ongoing trade war could severely hinder the U.S. green energy sector, which relies on affordable imports of lithium, nickel, and cobalt from China [11][12]. - The potential for a long-term decline in U.S. competitiveness in global markets is a significant concern, as companies may struggle to compete with foreign rivals if supply chains are disrupted [16].