Chinese Ambassador to Morocco Writes: Unilateral Trade Pressures Lead Nowhere
ALDAR/
By: Mr. Li Changlin Chinese Ambassador to Morocco
In recent days, as the world strives to revive globalization and boost economic recovery, the United States has unilaterally imposed additional tariffs on other countries. It first targeted China, Canada, and Mexico, citing their alleged insufficient efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling. Just days later, the U.S. announced a 25% tariff increase on steel and aluminum, this time “without exception or exemption.”
China says “No.” We strongly oppose the unilateral measures taken by the United States, and intimidation tactics will never work against China. Pressure, threats, or coercion are not the right way to deal with China, and imposing maximum pressure is the worst choice—wrong and miscalculated. As Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized during a press conference at the annual sessions of the National People’s Congress: “Choosing cooperation brings mutual benefit, while arbitrarily applying pressure will provoke strong reactions from China.” Naturally, China has every right to take necessary measures to firmly protect its legitimate interests and is prepared to fight to the end.
China is not alone in responding to these policies. Washington’s enthusiasm for excessive tariffs has drawn reactions from several other countries. Canada, the United States’ top supplier of steel and aluminum, declared that it “will not stand idly by” and decided to impose tariffs on certain American products in response to Washington’s “unfair and unreasonable” tariffs. Mexico also announced retaliatory measures—both tariff and non-tariff—in response to the U.S. decision. Meanwhile, the European Union expressed its “deep regret” over this U.S. move, warning that it could “disrupt global trade.” The European Commission announced that it would impose “strong but proportionate” tariffs starting April 1.
Everyone knows that unilateral trade pressure will not solve the fentanyl problem in the United States. Fentanyl addiction is a domestic issue that the U.S. must address and resolve on its own. Nevertheless, China responded to the U.S. request by classifying fentanyl analogs as prohibited drugs in 2019. China enforces one of the world’s strictest anti-drug policies and has provided assistance to the U.S. in various ways based on humanitarian concerns. If Washington is serious about tackling the fentanyl crisis, it must adhere to principles of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, engaging in consultations with China to address shared concerns.
It is also widely recognized that unilateral trade pressure benefits no one. The global economy is like an ocean—no country can isolate itself from it, and no one will emerge victorious from a trade or tariff war. Such discriminatory measures undermine fair market competition and disrupt multilateral cooperation dynamics. Imposing high tariffs will sharply increase the cost of imported goods, negatively impacting many sectors reliant on cross-border trade—from car manufacturers to solar panel producers—forcing companies to cut jobs or seek tariff-free markets. Worse still, the United States’ blatant violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules will lead other countries to question the fairness and effectiveness of the organization, accelerating the fragmentation of the global trading system.
Moreover, it is clear that unilateral trade pressure is a self-destructive strategy. Even American consumers and businesses have voiced their concerns. According to the U.S. National Retail Federation, imposing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products “will force Americans to pay higher prices for their necessities.” The U.S.-China Business Council, which represents 270 American companies, stated that these tariffs “will negatively impact U.S. global competitiveness.” The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta has predicted a sharp slowdown in U.S. economic growth and even warned of a possible severe economic contraction in the first quarter of the year. All indicators suggest that the more Washington imposes tariffs, the less attractive its market becomes as a trade partner, prompting the rest of the world to seek alternative trade opportunities elsewhere.
In a world filled with unprecedented challenges and increasing uncertainty, China is working to promote global stability by providing an element of certainty. The Chinese economy, characterized by resilience and sustainability, has contributed approximately 30% of global growth. No amount of maximum pressure, threats, or blackmail can shake the determination of 1.4 billion Chinese people or hinder the historic progress of the Chinese nation toward its great rejuvenation.
For the Chinese people, friendship should be enduring, and interests should be shared. History will prove that those who consider the interests of all are the true winners. Building a global community with a shared future is the path to creating a fair and balanced world for all nations and unlocking new opportunities for everyone. China seeks to establish partnerships with all countries to foster mutual cooperation, achieve shared success, and promote peaceful coexistence.
How China and the United States manage their relationship affects the well-being of both peoples and the future of the world as a whole. As two major powers with different national conditions, differences between them are inevitable. However, decoupling or severing supply chains is not the right solution. The key lies in the United States honoring its commitments and moving in the same direction as China to implement the agreements reached between the two sides. As China continues to expand its openness to the world, it stands ready to work with the United States to maintain dialogue, manage differences, build mutual trust, dispel doubts, and expand cooperation—contributing to a balanced and orderly multipolar world and a more inclusive and beneficial economic globalization.
*Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Morocco
