On April 22, 2025, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Britain and the EU to jointly protect international trade as Beijing grapples with a fierce tariff war with the United States, according to Chinese foreign ministry statements.
Escalating US-China Tariff Conflict
The United States has imposed a 10 percent blanket tariff on global imports, but China faces significantly higher levies, with duties reaching up to 145 percent on many products. In retaliation, Beijing has slapped 125 percent duties on US goods. This escalating trade war has heightened tensions and disrupted global markets. For more on the US-China trade conflict, see BBC’s coverage.
China’s Call to the UK
In a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Wang Yi emphasized the need for China and the UK to counter “unilateral bullying” and safeguard the multilateral trading order. He noted that economic and trade dialogues between the two nations are in preparation, signaling potential cooperation. The Chinese foreign ministry’s statement highlighted the shared responsibility to maintain global trade stability.
Appeal to the European Union
In a separate call with Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Wang urged the EU to “jointly defend” the multilateral trading system and foster an open world economy. This appeal comes as the EU navigates its own trade policies amid global economic pressures. For insights into EU trade dynamics, visit Reuters.