In a sharp escalation of global trade tensions, China on Tuesday reached out to India, calling for solidarity against what it described as the United States’ “abuse of tariffs,” after President Donald Trump imposed steep new duties on Chinese imports, pushing cumulative tariffs to a staggering 104%.
Chinese Embassy spokesperson Yu Jing took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a strongly-worded statement, defending China’s economic model and calling on India to align with its vision of a multilateral, rules-based trading system.
“Facing the U.S. abuse of tariffs, which deprives countries, especially Global South countries, of their right to development, the two largest developing countries should stand together to overcome the difficulties,” Yu stated.
Emphasizing the economic interdependence between India and China, Yu said their relationship is “based on complimentarity and mutual benefit”, and urged New Delhi to take a stand alongside Beijing in the face of aggressive US protectionism.
Trump’s Tariff Barrage Sparks Global Alarm
The call for cooperation comes as President Trump, in his second term, imposed another round of tariffs, including a fresh 34% duty on Chinese imports. Beijing retaliated in kind, triggering Trump to threaten an additional 50% levy, bringing the cumulative tariff wall to 104%. Despite global concerns, Trump remained defiant, declaring on Tuesday: “The United States was taking in almost $2 billion a day from tariffs.”
However, analysts warn the latest salvos in the trade war could deepen inflationary pressures and strain global supply chains. Wall Street reacted sharply, with major indices dipping for the second straight day.
China's Pitch for Multilateralism
Yu Jing painted China as a stabilizing force in the global economy, highlighting its innovation-led growth, industrial upgrades, and contribution to about 30% of annual global GDP growth. “We will continue to work with the rest of the world to safeguard the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core,” she wrote.
She stressed that trade wars offer no real winners and urged all nations to embrace “true multilateralism”, while rejecting “unilateralism and protectionism.”
India’s Strategic Dilemma
While China’s appeal signals a diplomatic olive branch, India’s response remains to be seen. New Delhi has grown increasingly cautious of Beijing since the 2020 Galwan Valley border clash and has sought to diversify supply chains and trade partners. Yet, with US tariffs potentially disrupting global trade flows, India could face pressure to recalibrate its position to protect its own export-driven sectors.
