The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai has described as a step backward the United States imposed global tariff.
Yu therefore called on the international community to unite against U.S unorthodox measures deployed to address its perceived trade deficits.
While noting that China will always defend itself against such a policy, the envoy noted that the impact has been devastating on the African economy.
The envoy who briefed journalists in Abuja warned that the issue should not be seen as a trade war between the U.S and China but one between the US and the rest of the International community.
Donald Trump had slammed global tariff on all trading partners claiming that the U.S had been cheated by partners leading to huge trade deficits. Trump’s action has generated shock waves across the globe leading to currency devaluation and stock market volatility in Africa and other developing countries.
Yu explained that China does not like war either trade, tariff or conventional but it is not also intimidated by the U.S President’s latest bully attempt.
He therefore said his country is ever ready for negotiation with the U.S based on equality and under an enabling environment.
He said: “The U.S. tariff policies are particularly devastating for African nations. Using the absurd logic that “trade surpluses equate to cheating,” the U.S. has launched indiscriminate attacks on African countries, violating WTO principles of special treatment for developing nations. This has already caused “collateral damage” such as currency devaluation and stock market volatility in Africa. The growth momentum of major African economies will inevitably be affected, with some structurally vulnerable economies possibly suffering severe blows, undermining Africa’s industrialization and poverty reduction efforts.
“No country can stay immune in the face of bullying and coercion. Appeasement will only invite further aggression. The international community must unite and fight back to defend our shared interests. Today, opposing U.S. tariff abuse and bullying means upholding multilateralism and fairness and justice.”
He also added, “China does not provoke trouble, neither are we intimidated by it. As the Chinese saying goes, “To friends, we offer fine wines; to wolves, the hunting rifles.” Pressure and threats are not the right way to deal with China. China has taken and will continue to take firm measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests. If a fight is forced upon us, China will fight to the end. If talks are sought, China’s door remains open—but only on the basis of equality and mutual respect.”
The envoy explained , “The U.S. actions severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, blatantly violate WTO rules, seriously undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilize the global economic order. By doing so, the U.S. also defies basic economic principles and market rules, ignoring the fact that it has long profited immensely from international trade. Using tariffs as a weapon for maximum pressure and self-interest is a typical manifestation of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. This is neither “reciprocal” nor “fair”—it is essentially about pursuing “America First” and “American exceptionalism.”
He stressed that “ In this imposed tariff war, China stands on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice. We have the confidence and resolve to defeat all threats and blackmail. Domestically, we have the unwavering support of our people, a vast market of 1.4 billion consumers, and a comprehensive industrial chain. China’s economy grew by 5.4% in the first quarter. Over the past decades, China has contributed around 30% to global economic growth, serving as a vital engine for the world economy.
“As the world’s second-largest economy and second-largest consumer market, no matter how the international landscape changes, China’s door will only open wider. We will continue to advance high-level opening-up, implement liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment. We will foster a first-class market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. And we will share our development opportunities with the world to achieve mutual benefits.
“It must be emphasized that China’s resolute stance against power bullying is not only to defend its own legitimate rights but also to uphold the common interests of the international community and prevent the world from regressing to a law-of-the-jungle era. China’s firm countermeasures have won the other nations a 90-day window, mitigating the impact of U.S. tariffs on global supply chains, creating space for dialogue and negotiation, and curbing the unchecked spread of trade protectionism,” he added.
He also stressed “For China, we don’t want to have any wars, either treaty wars, tariff wars, trade wars, anything with any other country. Because throughout China’s history, China is a peace-loving country.
We don’t believe in wars. We don’t believe in conquering. We don’t believe in expansionism.
“We want to live peacefully with all the other countries on this globe. And this tariff war, this trade war, was initiated by the U.S. So we stand up to defend our national interests and the nation and other countries.
“China would like to resolve this through dialogue, through negotiation, through consultation. But there are some basic requirements. For instance, we have to respect each other. We have to negotiate on an equal basis. We couldn’t just bring the other one down to an easy, but you have to agree this. Otherwise, I have a gun against your head.
“So we believe that we have to come to the negotiating table on equal terms. And I believe that it is the U.S. that launched this tariff war against the whole world. I believe it is the U.S. that is beginning to take the initiative to take back this war.”
