Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned that the use of tariffs, particularly amid escalating trade tensions with the United States, is damaging to the global economic order and undermines the principles of multilateral trade. Speaking during a state visit by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi criticized tariff and trade wars, saying they “undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries.”
Xi’s comments come in the wake of a renewed trade conflict between the United States and China. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a sweeping 145 percent tariff on all Chinese imports. In a swift retaliatory move, China levied a 125 percent duty on American goods. The tit-for-tat measures have reignited fears of a prolonged trade war that could ripple across the global economy.
“Tariffs hurt the multilateral trading system,” Xi stated, underscoring his administration’s continued opposition to protectionist policies. He stressed the importance of cooperation and equitable trade practices, particularly in an increasingly unstable international economic environment.
In a separate statement earlier this week, China’s commerce ministry issued a stern warning to other nations, urging caution when negotiating trade agreements with Washington. “China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” a ministry spokesperson said. The ministry also declared that “appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected,” signaling a hardened stance amid the ongoing dispute.
Despite these tensions, Xi emphasized that China’s relations with Azerbaijan remain strong and stable. “Despite a constantly changing international situation, China and Azerbaijan have maintained close ties,” he noted, signaling China’s intent to deepen ties with strategic partners outside the Western bloc.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone discussions with his British and Austrian counterparts, appealing to Britain and the European Union to support and uphold the principles of multilateral trade.
As trade tensions escalate, Beijing appears increasingly focused on rallying international support for a rules-based global trading system one it claims is under threat from Washington’s aggressive tariff policies.
