China Warns Against Striking Trade Deals at Its Expense Amid US Tariff Discussions

World

China has issued a strong warning to countries seeking exemptions from United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs, urging them not to sacrifice Chinese interests in their negotiations with Washington.

The warning comes as numerous US trade partners are scrambling to secure relief from the Trump administration’s tariffs, which include steep reciprocal tariffs that have been temporarily paused until July. These discussions are occurring amid increasing tensions in global trade, particularly between the US and China.

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce stated on Monday, “Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise will not earn respect.” The statement cautioned that “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.”

China, while acknowledging that countries are seeking to resolve their trade disputes with the US, emphasized that they should stand on the side of “fairness and justice,” stressing the importance of not sacrificing Chinese interests in the process.

The Ministry of Commerce also issued a direct warning, saying, “It is particularly important to emphasize that China firmly opposes any party achieving deals at the expense of Chinese interests.” The ministry further stated, “Should such a situation arise, China will not accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures.”

The statement follows Bloomberg News’ report that the Trump administration is pushing trade partners seeking tariff relief to reduce their trade with China. According to sources familiar with the matter, US officials are considering plans to pressure countries to reduce imports from China and to impose duties on imports from countries with strong trade ties to the Asian giant.

While Trump’s administration has paused its reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, it continues to escalate its trade war with China by imposing import taxes as high as 145 percent on Chinese exports.

In response, China has already retaliated by imposing 125 percent duties on US exports, with both countries pledging to continue fighting the trade battle. The growing tensions reflect the complex and volatile dynamics of the global trade landscape.