China has issued a stern warning to countries considering broader trade deals with the United States, stating that any agreements which undermine Beijing’s interests will face firm resistance.
The warning comes amidst escalating tensions between the world’s two largest economies over trade tariffs and geopolitical competition.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce made its position clear, saying that China is “determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests” and stands ready to enhance cooperation with other nations.
However, it cautioned against making deals with Washington that would be detrimental to China’s economic position.
Reports have emerged that the Trump administration plans to pressure countries seeking tariff relief or favourable trade terms from the United States to reduce or limit their trade engagements with China. Beijing has strongly opposed such a move, describing it as both short-sighted and dangerous for global trade.
The Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said it “firmly opposes” any party entering economic agreements with the United States that would come at China’s expense.
“Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected,” the ministry warned, adding that attempts to benefit temporarily by sacrificing others’ interests are akin to “seeking the skin of a tiger”—an idiom implying extreme risk.
China also pledged to take “resolute countermeasures” should such deals go ahead. The statement added that such actions “will ultimately fail on both ends and harm others,” highlighting the risks of disrupting the balance of global trade through one-sided negotiations.
This development comes as tensions continue to rise over a wave of tariffs imposed by the United States. While President Donald Trump has introduced a general 10 per cent tariff on imports from many countries, China faces levies as high as 145 per cent on selected goods. In response, China has imposed tariffs of up to 125 per cent on American imports.
China criticised Washington for “abusing” the concept of reciprocal tariffs, accusing it of acting under the pretext of fairness while enforcing harsh duties on trading partners. Beijing has urged nations to resist such pressure and not participate in deals that could destabilise the international trading system.
The ongoing trade war between the US and China has sent ripples through global markets, contributing to fears of a worldwide economic slowdown. Both sides have imposed steep tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods.
While President Trump has expressed confidence that a deal can be reached, Beijing has not confirmed active talks and insists that any future agreement must be based on mutual respect and fairness.
A spokesperson for China’s commerce ministry underlined the broader concern: “To revert the international order to the ‘law of the jungle’ where the strong prey on the weak is dangerous for all nations. In such a world, no country can feel safe.”
Beijing has called for open dialogue and multilateralism while reiterating its opposition to protectionist policies. As global powers and trade blocs watch closely, the coming months may prove pivotal in shaping not only US-China relations but also the future of international commerce.
