China is reaching out to other nations while the US imposes new tariffs, seemingly seeking to create a united front to force Washington to back down.
Although the moves have been underway for several days, they have had only partial success as many countries are reluctant to unite behind President Donald Trump's main trade war target.
Faced with slumping global markets, Mr Trump on Wednesday suspended his tariffs for 90 days on most countries, arguing that nations were lining up to negotiate better terms.
China has walked out of talks, saying it will “fight to the end” in the tariff war, prompting Trump to increase the tax on Chinese imports to 125%.
In response, China imposed tariffs of 84% on American goods, which took effect on Thursday.
Mr Trump's actions appeared to be an attempt to reduce the unprecedented trade war between the US and most of the world to a conflict between the US and China.
“A just cause has the support of many,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily briefing on Thursday.
“The US will fail to gain popular support and will fail.”
So far, China has focused on Europe: Premier Li Qiang's phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen “sent a positive signal to the outside world.”
“China is willing to work with the EU to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and the EU, strengthen communication and exchanges, and deepen trade, investment and industrial cooperation between China and the EU,” the official Xinhua News Agency said.
On Tuesday, a video conference was held between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič, where the US “reciprocal tariffs” were discussed.
Mr Wang noted that the tariffs “seriously infringe on the legitimate interests of all countries, violate WTO rules, undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and have a significant impact on the stability of the world economic order,” Xinhua reported.
“This is a typical example of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying,” Mr Wang added.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
