Rabat – China has sent a strong message to countries hoping to avoid US tariffs, warning them not to strike deals that harm Chinese interests.
The warning comes as many US trade partners are trying to negotiate exemptions from President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. Trump has temporarily paused some of these tariffs for 90 days, but countries are rushing to make their case before the pause ends in July.
“Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise will not earn respect,” a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Monday
The spokesperson added that countries should not seek “temporary selfish gains” by sacrificing China’s interests, comparing such actions to “negotiating with a tiger,” something that could harm everyone in the end.
While China says it understands that other countries want to solve their trade problems with the US, it called on them to be fair and stand on “the correct side of history.”
The statement also made it clear that China “firmly opposes any party achieving deals at the expense of Chinese interests” and warned of “reciprocal countermeasures” if that happens.
This warning followed a Bloomberg News report last week, which said that the Trump administration plans to pressure countries to reduce their trade with China. US officials are reportedly asking trade partners to buy fewer Chinese goods and place tariffs on goods from countries that have strong trade ties with China.
Trump has increased tariffs on Chinese products to as high as 145% as part of his ongoing trade war. In response, China has placed tariffs of up to 125% on American goods.
Despite the rising tensions, Trump said last week that he still expects to reach a “very good” trade deal with China eventually.
Over 70 countries have shown interest in negotiating trade deals with the US, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Japan has already started talks in Washington to protect its key exports like cars and steel. South Korea is expected to begin similar talks later this week.
China accused the US of “hegemonic politics” and “unilateral bullying” in the name of “reciprocity.”
“If international trade reverts to the ‘law of the jungle’, all countries will become victims,” the spokesperson warned.
China says it is ready to work with other countries to stand against this kind of behavior and protect fairness and justice in global trade.
