China has warned other nations not to strike deals with the US that come at its expense, as President Trump’s trade war with its main competitor continues to escalate.
China’s Commerce Ministry said that while China will respect other countries’ right to negotiate with the US on an equal footing in response to President Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, it will oppose countries that try to benefit at China’s cost.
Beijing “will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner” against such countries, a spokesperson said.
“The United States has abused tariffs on all trading partners under the banner of so-called ‘equivalence,’ while also forcing all parties to start so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ negotiations with them,” the spokesperson added.
The announcement comes as the Trump administration readies itself to put pressure on foreign nations looking to reduce US tariffs or even seek exemptions from them, by asking them to reduce their reliance on China.
Dozens of countries—perhaps as many as 70—are said to have approached US representatives to seek new trade deals.
Bilateral talks on tariffs have already taken place with Japan and Indonesia.
After announcing a swathe of “reciprocal” tariffs on 2 April, President Trump paused them, except for the tariffs on China, which he increased to 145%.
China has raised tariffs on US goods and also squeezed the supply of rare-earth metals and rare-earth magnets, whose production it monopolises, in a move that will affect the production of vital high-tech goods across the world, including cars and military equipment.
“There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars,” China’s President Xi Jinping said in an article published in Vietnamese media recently.
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