**Beijing**: China’s Ministry of Commerce has issued a strong warning to countries seeking exemptions from US tariffs, cautioning against deals that harm Chinese interests. The move follows heightened US pressure on trade partners and signals Beijing’s readiness to retaliate if fairness in trade negotiations is compromised.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has issued a stern warning to countries seeking exemptions from United States tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump’s administration, cautioning them against negotiating deals that could come at China’s expense. The statement was released amid a global scramble as numerous US trade partners attempt to secure relief from the sweeping tariffs and reciprocal duties that have put trade relations under considerable strain.
A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Monday, “Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise will not earn respect. Sacrificing others’ interests to obtain so-called exemptions for temporary selfish gains is akin to negotiating with a tiger; it ultimately leads to failure for both parties and harms everyone involved.” This message underlines Beijing’s insistence that while it respects efforts to resolve trade disputes with the US, such efforts must align with fairness and justice, standing “on the correct side of history.”
China’s ministry also emphasised its firm opposition to any arrangement that undermines Chinese interests. “Should such a situation arise, China will not accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures,” the spokesperson added.
The caution came after reports from Bloomberg News detailing plans by the Trump administration to pressure countries seeking tariff relief to reduce their imports from China. US officials were reportedly considering tactics to discourage trade partners from importing what officials described as excess goods from China and to possibly impose tariffs on imports from countries closely linked to China.
President Trump’s trade policy has seen a partial pause on “reciprocal” tariffs targeting imports from dozens of countries, temporarily halting new duties until July. However, the administration has notably intensified tariffs on Chinese exports, with some import taxes reaching as high as 145 percent. China has responded in kind, imposing duties of up to 125 percent on US exports.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent noted that over 70 countries have expressed interest in negotiating trade arrangements to mitigate the impact of the tariffs. In recent diplomatic efforts, Japanese officials visited Washington to seek relief on key exports such as automobiles and steel. Similarly, South Korean officials were scheduled to start ministerial-level negotiations to address tariff issues.
Despite the escalated trade measures, President Trump expressed optimism about future trade relations with China, suggesting a “very good” trade deal could ultimately be achieved.
In its commentary, China’s Ministry of Commerce criticised the Trump administration’s approach as “hegemonic politics” and a form of “unilateral bullying” under the guise of pursuing reciprocity. The ministry warned that if international trade were to decline to a “law of the jungle” scenario, all countries could become victims. The statement concluded by affirming China’s readiness to strengthen international solidarity and coordination to resist unilateral actions perceived as bullying, while safeguarding legitimate rights and advocating for fairness and justice in global trade.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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