Beijing warned countries against reaching trade agreements with Washington, which undermined China, highlighting how economic risks around the world are trapped in tensions between the two powerful countries.
While Beijing respects countries resolving trade disputes with the United States, it “resolutely opposes any party that reaches a deal at the expense of China’s interests” said in a statement Monday. If this happens, Beijing “will never accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures.”
“China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with all parties, jointly respond and resist unilateral bullying,” the ministry said.
Dozens of countries are seeking to reduce or exempt from President Donald Trump’s historic import taxes. In return, the U.S. hopes they take steps to limit China’s manufacturing industry to ensure that Beijing has not found a way around tariffs.
Trump’s top economic adviser has been discussing asking other countries’ representatives to impose so-called secondary tariffs on imports from certain countries closely linked to China – essentially a monetary sanction. Others say Washington also hopes trading partners don’t absorb excessive commodities from China.
Vietnam, Reuters reported, is preparing to crack down on Chinese goods flowing to its borders on their way to the United States.
China has strengthened its publicity in Southeast Asia and Europe as Trump shifts its attention to the world’s second economy. President Xi Jinping visited Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia last week and gathered a “Asian family” to better cope with the risks posed by Trump’s tariffs.
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Published on April 21, 2025
