In a robust response to the U.S. move to raise tariffs on imports from many countries, China has voiced firm opposition, warning that the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" severely undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system. The Chinese Embassy in the United States condemned the measure, stating that these unilateral actions violate World Trade Organization rules and disrupt decades of hard-won trade balance.
According to the embassy, the U.S. claims it has suffered economic losses and is using reciprocity to justify raising tariffs on all its trading partners, including China. This approach, they argue, disregards the significant benefits the U.S. has reaped from international trade and represents a typical act of unilateral bullying.
Echoing these concerns, Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, speaking in London during a ceremony celebrating China’s issuance of its first RMB-denominated sovereign green bond, warned that employing tariffs as a geopolitical weapon has far-reaching consequences. He emphasized that such protectionist practices not only violate WTO rules but also destabilize the global trade system.
Ambassador Zheng called on the international community to reject unilateral measures and work toward resolving trade disputes through dialogue marked by equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. He reiterated that China is prepared to take resolute countermeasures to safeguard its interests in the face of escalating U.S. tariff hikes.
This firm stance by China signals a commitment to maintaining a stable and predictable trading environment amid growing economic tensions. As the debate unfolds, global markets are keenly watching for the ripple effects on international trade relations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
