China has issued a strong warning to nations that are looking for exemptions from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, advising them not to enter into deals at China's cost.
The warning is made against the backdrop of some of America's trade partners making attempts to negotiate relief from Trump's tariffs, which feature high "reciprocal" tariffs suspended until July.
"Appeasement can never bring peace, and compromise will never command respect," a Ministry of Commerce spokesman said on Monday. "Granting concessions on others' interests in order to get so-called exemptions for temporary self-interest is like negotiating with a tiger; it ends up in defeat for both sides and hurts all the while."
While China acknowledges the right of nations to resolve their trade differences with the U.S., the ministry reiterated that they should also "stand on the side of fairness and justice" and side "on the correct side of history." The spokesperson also stated unequivocally that China categorically opposes any agreement that will be transacted at the expense of Chinese interests. "If such an event occurs, China will never accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures," the statement stated.
The statement was issued amid a Bloomberg News report that reported the Trump administration's plan to pressure nations looking for tariff relief to reduce trade with China. As reported by Bloomberg, US officials are mulling pressuring those nations to lower imports from China and put tariffs on imports from countries with strong relations with China. Though Trump has announced the suspension of "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from several countries for 90 days, his administration has escalated its trade war with China by raising import duties on Chinese products to a maximum of 145%.
As a retribution, China has promised to "fight to the end" if the U.S. persisted in escalating matters and had increased tariffs to up to 125% on the exports of U.S. items.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that over 70 nations have signaled their willingness to negotiate trade deals, with Japanese officials already in Washington discussing how to gain exemptions for key exports such as cars and steel. South Korean officials also are scheduled to initiate ministerial-level talks this week.
In spite of strengthening his trade actions against China, President Trump has remained upbeat and said he hoped to ultimately sign a "very good" trade agreement with Beijing.
In its communiqué, China's Ministry of Commerce charged the U.S. with pursuing "hegemonic politics" and "unilateral bullying" in the name of "reciprocity." "If international trade goes back to the 'law of the jungle,' all countries will be victims," the spokesman cautioned. "China is willing to enhance solidarity and coordination with all sides, resist unilateral bullying together, protect legitimate rights and interests, and uphold international fairness and justice."
Read also| U.S. Invokes National Security in Defense of Steel Tariffs Amid WTO Dispute with India
Read also| India’s defence production to touch Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029, Says Rajnath Singh
