India and China should stand together to overcome challenges posed by tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India said on Tuesday.
"China-India economic and trade relationship is based on complimentarity and mutual benefit. Facing the US abuse of tariffs... the two largest developing countries should stand together to overcome the difficulties," spokesperson Yu Jing said in a post on X.
In a detailed statement, the spokesperson said China’s economic power stems from its comprehensive industrial system and sustained focus on innovation and research.
"China's economy is underpinned by a system that ensures steady growth, and produces positive spillovers. Chinese manufacturing is built on a complete and continually upgrading industrial system, sustained investment in R&D, and a strong focus on innovation," the statement read.
The spokesperson also emphasised China’s commitment to multilateralism and global economic cooperation.
"China is a firm defender of economic globalization and multilateralism, which has injected strong impetus into the world economy, contributing to around 30 percent of global growth annually on average. We will continue to work with the rest of the world to safeguard the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core," Yu said.
"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," Yu added.
"Trade and tariff wars have no winners. All countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, practice true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism," she said.
President Trump had earlier imposed 10 per cent import duties on all nations and far higher levies on goods from specific countries, including 27 per cent tariffs on Indian exports.
However, tensions escalated further as Trump announced a sweeping 104 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports, effective from midnight on Tuesday, April 8, according to the White House. Trump had given China 24 hours to roll back its retaliatory 34 per cent tariff on US goods, failing which Washington would enforce the 104% duty.
In response, China vowed to "fight to the end," promising countermeasures to safeguard its economic interests.
The Commerce Ministry said the US’s imposition of "so-called 'reciprocal tariffs'" on China was "completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice".
China, the world’s second-largest economy, has announced retaliatory tariffs, and the ministry hinted in its latest statement that more may be coming.
"The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order. They are completely legitimate," the ministry said.
Source: India Today