Isolate Beijing and face the consequences – China warns

Efe Udin

April 21, 2025

China has warned that it will respond forcefully to any country that cooperates with U.S. efforts to isolate Beijing economically. The statement, released Monday by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, comes amid intensifying trade tensions between the two largest economies in the world. According to the ministry, “China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests. If this happens, China will not accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures.”

The warning follows reports that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is using ongoing tariff talks to pressure allied countries to limit their trade ties with China. Earlier this month, Trump paused planned tariff increases for 90 days on some U.S. partners. However, he raised duties on Chinese imports to 145%.

China paints U.S. policy as a global threat

In its statement, Beijing condemned Washington’s actions as aggressive and damaging to the global trade order. The ministry described the U.S. as “abusing tariffs” and engaging in “unilateral bullying.” It further warned that the erosion of multilateral rules would return international trade to the “law of the jungle.”

Despite the sharp rhetoric, China also sought to cast itself as open to a deal and supportive of a rules-based system. It emphasized its willingness to work with “all parties” to defend “international fairness and justice.”

China has already taken steps in response to the U.S. tariffs. It announced 125% duties on a range of U.S. goods and imposed new export controls on critical minerals. Several U.S. brands, mostly smaller ones, were also added to Chinese blocklists. This further limits their ability to engage with Chinese firms.

Meanwhile, Trump has said he still believes a trade agreement is possible. Last Thursday, he stated that a deal could be reached “in the next three to four weeks.” However, many analysts remain skeptical that any breakthrough is near.

China seeks broader support in Southeast Asia

President Xi Jinping recently completed a tour of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, his first overseas trip of 2025. In readouts from these meetings, Chinese officials highlighted Xi’s calls for collective resistance against tariffs and “unilateral bullying.”

Read Also: China urges U.S. to reverse course on tariffs after tech exemptions

The trip comes as China continues to deepen its ties with Southeast Asia, now its largest trading partner by region.

China trade response: Expect more pushback against U.S.

Justin Yifu Lin, dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University, echoed Beijing’s concerns. Speaking to reporters, including one from Mali, Lin argued that countries should unite in response to U.S. pressure. “For African countries, or every country, it should be everyone cooperating, together responding to the U.S.,” he said.

Lin added that Washington’s actions are unlikely to succeed over time. “More and more voices will likely call the U.S. policy ‘unreasonable and illogical,’” he said. “I’m confident that unreasonable and illogical things can’t last that long.”

Lin did not rule out full U.S.-China decoupling. However, he said the two nations remain closely tied. This is mostly due to the U.S. reliance on Chinese goods and supply chains.

China has filed a formal complaint against the U.S. with the WTO over the new tariffs. It also replaced its top trade negotiator with Li Chenggang. The former now serves as vice minister and formerly represented China at the WTO.

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CNBC