Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong has condemned the United States for imposing hefty tariffs on India, urging for enhanced Chinese-Indian cooperation and highlighting the detrimental impacts of such trade wars on global economic stability.
China Decries US Tariffs on India as Bullying Tactics
China Decries US Tariffs on India as Bullying Tactics
Beijing's ambassador to India criticizes US-imposed tariffs, advocating for stronger Sino-Indian collaboration.
Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, has publicly denounced the United States for its recently implemented tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, characterizing the US as a "bully" exploiting its position in free trade. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Xu emphasized the need for strengthened cooperation between China and India amidst deteriorating trade relations between India and the US.
Highlighting the US's long-standing advantages in free trade, Xu remarked that the imposition of tariffs serves as a negotiation tactic, demanding "exorbitant prices" from other countries. He stated, "Silence only emboldens the bully," concerning the hefty tariffs and threats of additional measures from Washington. The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration earlier this month, including a 25% penalty for Indian imports and on oil and weapons purchases from Russia, are scheduled to be implemented on August 27.
India has justified its increased oil imports from Russia amid the Ukraine war as a necessary measure to shield its population from rising energy costs. The Biden administration had reportedly encouraged India to engage in these purchases to help stabilize global energy markets.
Despite the complications in trade relations with the US, India and China seem to be moving towards rekindling their historically complex relationship. Following the violent altercations in Galwan Valley in 2020, both nations have been exploring ways to normalize ties, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to Delhi underscoring this shift. During his visit, Yi proposed that India and China adopt a perspective of partnership over rivalry.
Xu echoed similar sentiments, identifying the two countries as "double engines" for Asia’s economic growth. He invited increased Indian investment in China, emphasizing the mutual benefits of a "fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment" for Chinese entities in India.
He expressed concern regarding the disruption caused by tariff and trade wars on global economic structures, asserting China's commitment to work alongside India in supporting the multilateral trading system guided by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Lastly, Xu mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming trip to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit as a potential catalyst for renewed Sino-Indian relations.
