China has condemned the United States’ decision to impose additional tariffs on various trading partners, including China, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday, calling the move a violation of international trade rules.
The Chinese government said the tariffs infringe on nations’ legitimate rights, breach World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, and disrupt the global economic order.
“Washington’s move defies fundamental economic principles and disregards the balanced outcomes of multilateral trade negotiations, despite the U.S. having long benefited from international trade,” Chinese officials said.
They accused the U.S. of “blatant unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion” by weaponizing tariffs to exert pressure and pursue self-interest.
“Under the guise of seeking ‘reciprocity’ and ‘fairness,’ the U.S. is pushing a zero-sum game that prioritizes ‘America First’ at the expense of the global economic order,” the officials said. “This attempt to subordinate international public interests to U.S. hegemony will inevitably face widespread opposition from the international community.”
China, they added, “does not provoke trouble, but is also not afraid of it,” warning that “pressure and threats are not the right approach in dealing with Beijing.”
The world’s second-largest economy vowed to take “resolute measures” to protect its sovereignty, security, and development interests. It urged Washington to halt its “tariff-driven suppression” and respect China’s “legitimate development rights,” emphasizing that bilateral economic relations should be mutually beneficial.
China reaffirmed its commitment to further opening its markets, improving regulations, and fostering a “world-class, market-driven, and law-based business environment.” It pledged to promote trade liberalization and share development opportunities globally.
“Economic globalization is an irreversible trend in human progress,” Chinese officials said, stressing that the WTO-centered trading system has been key to global growth. “Isolationism and beggar-thy-neighbor policies are doomed to backfire.”
They called for collective efforts to ensure globalization remains “open, inclusive, and balanced,” arguing that “development is a universal right, not a privilege reserved for a few.”
“Global affairs should be decided through collective consultation, not unilateral diktats,” they said. “Trade wars and protectionism benefit no one – only genuine multilateralism can ensure shared prosperity.”
China urged countries to uphold multilateralism, reject unilateral actions, and defend the WTO-led trading system.
“The world needs fairness, not hegemony,” Chinese officials said, urging the U.S. to “abandon its coercive tactics and return to the path of cooperation.”