Threats and pressure are not the right way to resolve problems with China, said the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday after describing the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” as oppression.
“The tariffs are a typical unilateral approach, protectionism, and economic oppression,” said spokesperson Lin Jian at a regular press conference, adding that U.S. tariffs in the name of reciprocity serve only their own interests at the expense of other countries.
Last week, Trump imposed an additional 34 percent tariff on Chinese products as part of steep taxes imposed on most U.S. trading partners, bringing the total tariff rate on China this year to 54 percent. China responded with a series of countermeasures.
Lin referred the question of whether China would negotiate with the U.S. to other bodies.
“The abuse of tariffs by the U.S. is equal to taking away the right of countries to their development,” said Lin, highlighting the growing gap between rich and poor in every country, where less developed countries suffer a greater impact.
All countries should support consultations, joint building and sharing, and “the right to multilateralism,” he added.
Lin also called on countries to jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism and to protect the international system and the multilateral trading system according to the values of the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
