China cautions nations against siding with the US on trade matters
Washington is reportedly working to pressure nations seeking tariff relief into reducing their trade relations with Beijing. In response, Beijing has warned countries contemplating a reduction in trade with China for potential tariff relief...
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Washington is reportedly working to pressure nations seeking tariff relief into reducing their trade relations with Beijing.
In response, Beijing has warned countries contemplating a reduction in trade with China for potential tariff relief from the US that it will retaliate against such actions.
According to media reports, the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to utilize monetary sanctions and other measures to persuade other nations to limit their trade with China in exchange for more favorable trade agreements.
The Commerce Ministry of China stated on Monday that it “firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” emphasizing that Beijing would “resolutely take countermeasures.”
The ongoing tariff confrontation between Washington and Beijing takes place within a broader US initiative directed at multiple countries. Although most heightened tariffs have been temporarily halted for 90 days to facilitate trade negotiations, China did not receive the same moratorium. The tariff rate on Chinese goods has increased to 145%.
The ministry commented, “Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not earn respect. Seeking so-called exemptions by harming the interests of others for one’s own selfish and shortsighted gains is like negotiating with a tiger for its skin. In the end, it will only lead to a lose-lose situation.”
The Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing anonymous sources, that the Trump administration is using tariff negotiations to compel US trading partners to limit their connections with China.
This strategy reportedly includes measures to block Chinese goods from moving through their territories, preventing Chinese companies from relocating to avoid US tariffs, and turning away inexpensive Chinese industrial imports.
Although Trump has not officially declared his intent to pressure other countries to limit trade with China, he has indicated a degree of openness to the notion. “Maybe, yeah, maybe,” Trump responded to Fox News when asked if Latin American nations should be compelled to choose between Chinese and US investments. “They should do that.”
Since trade tensions with the US heightened, China has been actively fortifying its relationships with various countries, engaging in discussions with officials from the EU, Japan, and South Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently toured Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, where he signed multiple bilateral cooperation agreements and reiterated China's commitment to free and open trade.
Bo Zhengyuan, a partner at the China-based policy consultancy Plenum, remarked to NBC News, “The fact is, nobody wants to pick a side. If countries have high reliance on China in terms of investment, industrial infrastructure, technology know-how and consumption, I don’t think they’ll be buying into US demands. Many Southeast Asian countries belong to this category.”
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
In response, Beijing has warned countries contemplating a reduction in trade with China for potential tariff relief from the US that it will retaliate against such actions.
According to media reports, the administration of US President Donald Trump intends to utilize monetary sanctions and other measures to persuade other nations to limit their trade with China in exchange for more favorable trade agreements.
The Commerce Ministry of China stated on Monday that it “firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” emphasizing that Beijing would “resolutely take countermeasures.”
The ongoing tariff confrontation between Washington and Beijing takes place within a broader US initiative directed at multiple countries. Although most heightened tariffs have been temporarily halted for 90 days to facilitate trade negotiations, China did not receive the same moratorium. The tariff rate on Chinese goods has increased to 145%.
The ministry commented, “Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not earn respect. Seeking so-called exemptions by harming the interests of others for one’s own selfish and shortsighted gains is like negotiating with a tiger for its skin. In the end, it will only lead to a lose-lose situation.”
The Wall Street Journal reported last week, citing anonymous sources, that the Trump administration is using tariff negotiations to compel US trading partners to limit their connections with China.
This strategy reportedly includes measures to block Chinese goods from moving through their territories, preventing Chinese companies from relocating to avoid US tariffs, and turning away inexpensive Chinese industrial imports.
Although Trump has not officially declared his intent to pressure other countries to limit trade with China, he has indicated a degree of openness to the notion. “Maybe, yeah, maybe,” Trump responded to Fox News when asked if Latin American nations should be compelled to choose between Chinese and US investments. “They should do that.”
Since trade tensions with the US heightened, China has been actively fortifying its relationships with various countries, engaging in discussions with officials from the EU, Japan, and South Korea. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently toured Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, where he signed multiple bilateral cooperation agreements and reiterated China's commitment to free and open trade.
Bo Zhengyuan, a partner at the China-based policy consultancy Plenum, remarked to NBC News, “The fact is, nobody wants to pick a side. If countries have high reliance on China in terms of investment, industrial infrastructure, technology know-how and consumption, I don’t think they’ll be buying into US demands. Many Southeast Asian countries belong to this category.”
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
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