New Delhi: China has called upon India to stand together against US-imposed Tariffs. Calling Washington’s latest trade measures an ‘abuse’ on developing economies. China has called for global cooperation to resist what it described as “unilateralism and protectionism.”
In a post on ‘X’ Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, said: “China-India economic and trade relationships are based on complementarity and mutual benefit. Facing the US 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.”
The remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision to introduce an additional 50 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, bringing the total cumulative tariff rate imposed this year to 104 per cent. This new tariff hike was announced after China implemented a 34 per cent retaliatory duty in response to Washington’s earlier levies. Trump has warned that further escalation could follow if China does not roll back its countermeasures.
China called the US tariffs as an attack on economic globalisation, with Yu stating: “Trade and tariff wars have no winners. All countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, practice true multilateralism, and jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism.”
The US reciprocal tariffs, effective April 9, impose higher duties on countries with which Washington has a trade deficit. India is subject to a 26 per cent tariff, while China has been hit with a cumulative 104 per cent levy following a series of retaliatory measures between Beijing and Washington.
China has also met with Japan and South Korea to discuss the US tariffs and potential countermeasures. European Union’s Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic also visited China, reportedly to push for better cooperative trade partnership. This marks a reversal for European nations which were earlier looking to decrease reliance on China.
India’s export-driven industries, particularly those in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and technology, could suffer as a result of the tariff hikes. On Wednesday, a Reuters report stated that Trump plans to announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals, an industry that was previously exempted from reciprocal tariffs. This move would primarily impact India and China, the world’s largest suppliers of generic medicines.
