China Rejects International Agreements Detrimental to Its Interests Amid Ongoing Trade Tensions with the U.S.
On Monday, the Chinese government issued a stern warning, stating it will not accept international agreements that undermine its interests. This response comes after reports revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump intends to pressure other nations during his trade negotiations to limit their economic exchanges with China.
In a statement published on its official website, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce accused the United States of abusing tariffs under the guise of reciprocity and coercing other countries into negotiations with Washington. The ministry expressed a commitment to addressing economic and trade differences through fair consultations but emphasized the necessity for all parties to uphold fairness, justice, and historical correctness while defending international economic norms and the multilateral trading system.
The ministry condemned the U.S. for its hegemonic policies and unilateral intimidation tactics in economic and trade affairs, warning that acts of appeasement would not lead to peace, and such agreements would lack credibility. They criticized the approach of seeking exemptions at the expense of others as merely a temporary gain that would not benefit anyone in the long run. As the Ministry stated, "No one can remain immune to the impact of unilateralism and protectionism. Once international trade devolves into a 'law of the jungle' scenario—where the strong exploit the weak—every country risks becoming a victim."
China expressed its willingness to enhance solidarity and cooperation with other nations to collectively resist unilateral intimidation.
The trade conflict, which was further intensified by Trump’s measures announced on April 2, has seen reciprocal tariffs escalate significantly. Although the U.S. initially softened its tariffs on numerous countries to a generalized 10%, it opted to increase tariffs on Chinese goods to 25%, prompting Beijing to respond with increased tariffs on U.S. products reaching as high as 125%.
Trump has made efforts to engage in discussions regarding tariffs and indicated that negotiations with Chinese representatives are ongoing, with the possibility of reaching agreements in the coming weeks. However, China has reiterated its position, asserting that any consultations must be founded on mutual respect, underlining their commitment to working-level communication with their U.S. counterparts.
As both nations stand firm in their stances, the global community watches closely, aware that the outcomes of these negotiations could have significant ramifications not only on bilateral relations but also on the international economic landscape.
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