China on Monday said that they firmly opposes any nations reaching a deal with the United States at the expense of Chinese interests and vowed to take “countermeasures” if interests are compromised.
The statement came on Monday after reports that Donald Trump may offer tariff exemptions to other nations in return for limiting their trade with China.
“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” a spokesperson for Beijing’s commerce ministry said in a statement.
“If such a situation occurs, China will never accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures,” they added.
While global markets face a general 10 percent tariff, Chinese products are subject to duties reaching 145 percent. In response, Beijing has imposed 125 percent tariffs on American goods.
Several nations are currently in discussions with the United States regarding tariff reductions, alongside Washington’s ongoing trade conflict with its primary economic competitor, China.
“Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“To seek one’s own temporary selfish interests at the expense of others’ interests is to seek the skin of a tiger,” Beijing added.
Such actions, Beijing warned, “will ultimately fail on both ends and harm others”.
The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China has escalated as both nations have imposed substantial tariffs on each other’s imports. This economic confrontation between the world’s largest economies has triggered concerns about a global recession and caused significant market instability.
President Trump announced on Thursday that negotiations were underway with China regarding tariffs. He expressed optimism about reaching an agreement to resolve the intense trade conflict, stating that Chinese officials had initiated contact several times.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump conveyed confidence about achieving a favourable agreement with China, reiterating his positive outlook at the White House.
Whilst China has pledged to continue the trade conflict indefinitely, it has not acknowledged any ongoing discussions with Washington, although it has advocated for dialogue.
Beijing has criticised American policies, characterising them as unilateral and protectionist. The Chinese government has cautioned against a return to an international system where, as stated on Monday, “Where the strong prey on the weak, all countries will become victims.”
