As trade tensions between the US and China reach a new peak, a top Chinese diplomat in India has suggested that India and China should work together to counter the impact of rising US tariffs. This comes as President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed tariffs on Chinese imports will rise to 104% starting Wednesday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, called the tariffs imposed by the US an “abuse” that affects developing countries, especially in the Global South, and said India and China, being the two largest developing nations, should collaborate to protect their economic interests.
“Trade and tariff wars have no winners. All countries should practice true multilateralism and jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism,” Yu Jing said.
What’s Behind This Appeal?
China is currently facing one of the sharpest rounds of tariffs from the US. The Trump administration has announced a 104% duty on Chinese goods, aiming to pressure Beijing to roll back its own retaliatory measures. China, on its part, has vowed to “fight to the end” and described the tariffs as unfair.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also struck an optimistic note, saying China is confident of managing the economic impact. During a conversation with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Li said China has enough policy tools to counter external shocks and continue its growth in 2025.
“Our macroeconomic policies are designed to handle uncertainties,” Li said, adding that China is prepared to absorb shocks caused by external pressure.
Why This Matters to India
For Indian readers, the news comes at a time when India is also facing its share of tariff tensions with the US, and policymakers are watching how other large economies respond. While India’s trade relationship with both the US and China is complex, calls for economic cooperation over competition signal a possible shift in how the Global South might respond to trade pressures from the West.
India and China have long shared trade interests, even amid political tensions. China remains one of India’s biggest import partners, and both countries have expressed interest in strengthening multilateral platforms like BRICS and the WTO.
This Chinese proposal may not lead to formal cooperation anytime soon, but it reflects growing concern among developing economies about being caught in larger trade wars they didn’t start—but certainly feel the effects of.
