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August 20, 2025Open Access

A Diachronic Transitivity Analysis on China Daily’s Coverage of the 2018 and 2025 China-US Trade Disputes

Key Points

Material processes dominate coverage, showing the focus on actions like tariffs and negotiations, emphasizing agency.
In 2018, China is depicted as cooperative, while the US is seen as coercive; by 2025, the US takes on the role of instigator.
Using diachronic transitivity analysis, the study examines changes in portrayal over time, highlighting strategic framing in journalism.
Findings suggest that China Daily reinforces China's legitimacy in international economic governance through its portrayals.

Abstract

This study conducts a diachronic transitivity analysis of China Daily’s coverage of the 2018 and 2025 China-US trade disputes, focusing on material processes and Actor–Goal constructions. Findings show that material processes dominate, emphasizing tangible actions such as tariffs and negotiations. In 2018, China is portrayed as cooperative and responsible, while the US appears coercive; by 2025, the US emerges as the primary instigator, and China adopts a defen-sive–counteractive–constructive stance. Overall, the newspaper strategically frames national agency and accountability, reinforcing China’s legitimacy and strategic image in international economic governance.

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