PNN – Following reports that the US intends to use trade negotiations with other countries to hinder their trade with China, Beijing warned that dealing with the “enemy” is detrimental to itself and others.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, citing AFP, an unnamed spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Monday: Appeasement cannot bring peace and compromise cannot bring respect to anyone.
These comments come as Washington reportedly intends to pressure other countries to restrict trade with Beijing in exchange for exemption from export taxes to the United States.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stressed: Beijing firmly opposes any party reaching an agreement to the detriment of China. If this happens, China will never accept it and will take resolute countermeasures.
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The Chinese official added: To achieve personal and temporary benefits, if someone wants to gain something called “immunity” by harming the interests of others, it is like “negotiating with a tiger for its skin.” This approach will ultimately result in nothing but failure on both sides and it harms others and does not benefit oneself.
The remarks are similar to the content of an editorial published last week in the China Daily newspaper, which warned the European Union against trying to appease the United States.
While the rest of the world faced 10 percent tariffs, the United States has imposed duties of up to 145 percent on many products imported from China. Beijing has responded with a 125 percent tariff on American goods.
In parallel with Washington’s trade war against Beijing, its main economic rival, a number of countries are now negotiating with the US to reduce tariffs.
Seoul announced that the finance and trade ministers of South Korea, a major exporter to the United States, will hold high-level trade talks in Washington this week.
Major South Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and automaker Hyundai will be hit hard if the tariffs continue.
South Korean exports fell 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first 20 days of April, amid Trump’s sweeping tariff policies, customs data showed on Monday.
Since the beginning of this month, the US has announced tariffs of 10% and 25% on cars, while the 25% tariff on South Korea has currently been suspended for 90 days.
The East Asian country’s exports to the United States fell 14.3 percent, while exports to China, which is locked in a trade war with Washington, fell 3.4 percent. Exports to the European Union rose 13.8 percent.
After Tokyo’s envoy Ryusei Akazawa’s visit to Washington and meeting with Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that the negotiations between Japan and the United States could be a model for the world.
He said in the country’s parliament on Monday: The fact that US President Donald Trump came out shows that he considers negotiations with Japan important. Japan is their ally and the largest investor and job creator in the United States.
US Vice President JD Vance also began a four-day official visit to India on Monday, as the two countries seek to seal a trade deal.