As trade tensions with Washington intensify, China called on India to unite against what it termed the “US abuse of tariffs” on Tuesday, following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a considerable tariff hike that raises total tariffs on Chinese imports to 104 percent.
Yu Jing, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in India, criticized the tariff measures taken by the United States, asserting that China’s steady economic growth, innovation, and strong manufacturing sector benefit the global community.
“The foundation of China’s economy ensures stability and creates positive externalities. Our manufacturing is supported by a comprehensive and continually enhancing industrial framework, sustained investment in R&D, and a strong innovation focus. China strongly advocates for economic globalization and multilateralism, contributing approximately 30 percent to global growth each year on average. We will persist in collaborating with the global community to uphold the multilateral trade system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its center,” Yu Jing stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
She also emphasized that India and China, being the two largest developing nations, must collaborate in resisting US tariff policies, highlighting that their trading relationship is complementary and mutually advantageous.
“The economic and trade relationship between China and India is founded on complementarity and mutual benefits. In light of the U.S. abuse of tariffs, which undermines the rights of nations, especially those in the Global South, the two largest developing nations should unite to navigate these challenges. Trade and tariff wars yield no winners; all countries should adhere to principles of extensive dialogue, genuine multilateralism, and collectively oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism,” she added.
What triggered the escalation of the US-China trade war?
A significant escalation in the trade conflict between the United States and China seemed imminent on Tuesday as President Donald Trump initiated a new series of tariffs targeting various trade partners.
With Trump’s return to the White House, the total duties on Chinese goods will now reach 104 percent.
This dramatic increase comes in response to actions from Beijing, while Trump showed no indication of relenting, even as US stock indices experienced another day of declines on Tuesday.
Trump asserts that his tariff policies aim to revive domestic manufacturing by incentivizing companies to relocate their operations back to the United States.
Nevertheless, numerous economists and industry specialists express skepticism, cautioning that such strategies could lead to increased inflation and burden consumers with higher costs.
Despite these concerns, Trump defended his approach on Tuesday, claiming that “The United States was generating nearly $2 billion a day” from tariffs.
Initially, Trump announced an additional 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports, but after Beijing matched it with a corresponding 34 percent duty on US goods, he escalated the situation, promising to implement another 50 percent tariff.
