Xi Jinping
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China alleged that the US was trying to impose political hegemony under the guise of reciprocal tariff negotiations. File photo

Nations seeking trade deals with US at Beijing’s expense will face countermeasures: China

China’s warning comes in the wake of reports about US's plans to pressure other countries to restrict trade ties with Beijing in exchange for tariff exemptions


In a further escalation in the ongoing tariff war with the US, China on Monday (April 21) threatened any country seeking to strike a great trade deal with the US while jeopardising Chinese economic interests with countermeasures.

The development comes after the Wall Street Journal last week reported that the US plans to use tariff negotiations to pressure dozens of countries into imposing new barriers on trade with China.

The Commerce Ministry spokesperson made these remarks when responding to reports that the US is preparing to pressure other countries to restrict trade ties with China in exchange for tariff exemptions, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Also Read: China dismisses US's tariff threats, calls it a 'meaningless numbers game'

'Hegemonic politics'

China firmly opposes any deal between the US and its trading partners at the expense of Chinese interests, the spokesperson said in a statement.

"If such a situation arises, China will not accept it and will resolutely take corresponding countermeasures," the statement said, adding that China has the right to resolve and the capability to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

China slammed the Trump administration’s policy of reciprocal tariffs and accused the US of using it as a pretext for imposing “hegemonic politics”

Under the guise of so-called "reciprocity," the US has been recently arbitrarily imposing tariffs on all its trading partners while pressuring them to engage in so-called "reciprocal tariff" negotiations, the spokesperson said.

"This is essentially using the banner of 'reciprocity' as a pretext to pursue hegemonic politics and unilateral bullying in the field of international economy and trade," the spokesperson said.

Also Read: US tariffs will weaken global economy, trigger inflation, says IMF

ASEAN countries in a knot

China’s tough stand came against the backdrop of reports that several countries against whom US President Trump imposed varied amounts of tariffs are now seeking to work out bilateral trade deals with Washington to resume their exports to access the lucrative US market.

A host of countries, including Japan and the ASEAN, have lucrative trade with both China and the US.

China’s firm stand will leave these countries in a quandary.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has just concluded a high-profile visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, the three important ASEAN countries, to reinforce Beijing’s strong trade ties with those countries.

Also Read: Trump says he's in 'no rush' to end tariffs as he holds talks with Italy's Meloni

Tariff strikes, counter-strikes

Trump has imposed 245 per cent tariffs against China and paused tariff hikes against about 70 countries to work out separate trade deals with them to gain more access to American products in their markets.

China retaliated against the US exports with 125 per cent tariffs, besides announcing control measures to restrict exports of rare earth metals, key to the US defence industry.

The spokesperson emphasised that appeasement does not bring peace, compromise does not lead to respect, and attempts to trade the interests of others for tariff exemptions are doomed to fail and will ultimately harm all parties involved.

Also Read: Gold prices soar on US-China tariff war, cross Rs 98,000 in India to set new high

'Align with right side of history'

China respects all parties that seek to resolve their trade disputes with the United States through equal consultation, the spokesperson said, calling on all parties to stand on the side of fairness and justice, align with the right side of history, and uphold international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system. In the face of unilateralism and protectionism, no country can remain unaffected, the spokesperson said.

"Once international trade reverts to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, all countries will suffer," the spokesperson added.

China is ready to work with all parties to strengthen solidarity and coordination, jointly oppose unilateral bullying, safeguard respective legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice, the spokesperson said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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