China has issued a sharp warning to countries considering trade deals with the United States that would sideline Beijing, signaling a firm stance against what it calls “unilateral bullying” in international trade, this warning comes amid reports that the Trump administration is pressuring nearly 50 nations to limit their economic ties with China in exchange for tariff relief, a strategy aimed at isolating China economically. Beijing’s Ministry of Commerce condemned such moves as “short-sighted” and “selfish,” likening attempts to gain exemptions by undermining China’s interests to “negotiating with a tiger for its skin,” a lose-lose scenario for all involved.
China’s statement emphasized that it will “resolutely implement countermeasures” against any country that strikes deals with the U.S. at China’s expense. The ministry criticized the U.S. for misusing tariffs under the guise of “equivalence” and coercing allies into “reciprocal tariffs” negotiations, warning that agreements made under such pressure would not be honored. Beijing framed its response as a defense of fairness and justice in global trade, warning that if international commerce regresses to a “law of the jungle” where the strong prey on the weak, all nations become victims.
The Trump administration reportedly offers tariff perks and exemptions to countries that comply with its demands to curb trade with China. This has led to a lineup of about 50 countries engaging in talks with U.S. Trade Representative Tyson Greer and other officials, Japan and South Korea are among the key nations reportedly negotiating with Washington, while India is also under pressure to reduce its trade exposure to China. Meanwhile China is actively engaging with regional partners like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to reinforce economic ties and discourage alignment with US trade isolation efforts.
China’s warnings come as it faces tariffs of up to 145% imposed by the U.S, with Beijing retaliating by levying duties up to 125% on American goods. The escalating tariff war has prompted fears of a broader fragmentation of the global trading system. China’s Ministry of Commerce made clear that it respects efforts to resolve disputes through equal consultation but will not tolerate agreements that harm its interests, the ministry’s spokesperson stressed that “appeasement will not yield peace, and compromise will not garner respect,” signaling Beijing’s unwillingness to back down.
The U.S is using its power over allies to economically isolate China, and China is responding with threats of retaliation. This impasse represents a new stage in the trade war, global supply networks are made more complex by the circumstance, and nations are forced to make a tough decision between the two biggest economies in the world, message is clear by China, those that support the US run the danger of economic retaliation that might stymie their own investment and commerce.
China’s statement emphasized that it will “resolutely implement countermeasures” against any country that strikes deals with the U.S. at China’s expense. The ministry criticized the U.S. for misusing tariffs under the guise of “equivalence” and coercing allies into “reciprocal tariffs” negotiations, warning that agreements made under such pressure would not be honored. Beijing framed its response as a defense of fairness and justice in global trade, warning that if international commerce regresses to a “law of the jungle” where the strong prey on the weak, all nations become victims.
The Trump administration reportedly offers tariff perks and exemptions to countries that comply with its demands to curb trade with China. This has led to a lineup of about 50 countries engaging in talks with U.S. Trade Representative Tyson Greer and other officials, Japan and South Korea are among the key nations reportedly negotiating with Washington, while India is also under pressure to reduce its trade exposure to China. Meanwhile China is actively engaging with regional partners like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to reinforce economic ties and discourage alignment with US trade isolation efforts.
China’s warnings come as it faces tariffs of up to 145% imposed by the U.S, with Beijing retaliating by levying duties up to 125% on American goods. The escalating tariff war has prompted fears of a broader fragmentation of the global trading system. China’s Ministry of Commerce made clear that it respects efforts to resolve disputes through equal consultation but will not tolerate agreements that harm its interests, the ministry’s spokesperson stressed that “appeasement will not yield peace, and compromise will not garner respect,” signaling Beijing’s unwillingness to back down.
The U.S is using its power over allies to economically isolate China, and China is responding with threats of retaliation. This impasse represents a new stage in the trade war, global supply networks are made more complex by the circumstance, and nations are forced to make a tough decision between the two biggest economies in the world, message is clear by China, those that support the US run the danger of economic retaliation that might stymie their own investment and commerce.
