NextFin news, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded on Sunday in Ljubljana, Slovenia, to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent call for NATO countries to impose tariffs ranging from 50% to 100% on China. Wang firmly rejected the tariff threats, emphasizing that China does not participate in wars and advocates for peaceful political settlements through dialogue.
Trump proposed the tariffs on Saturday, aiming to pressure Beijing over its continued purchase of Russian oil amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. He stated on his social media platform that these tariffs would remain until the conflict ends, intending to weaken Moscow’s support from China.
Speaking after a meeting with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, Wang Yi said sanctions would only complicate global instability and urged multilateral cooperation. He stressed that China and Europe should be friends and cooperate rather than confront each other, highlighting the need for joint action amid global challenges.
Wang said, as reported by China Daily and Global Times, “China does not participate in or plan wars, and what China does is to encourage peace talks and promote political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue.”
Trump’s tariff proposal followed his accusations against Chinese President Xi Jinping of conspiring against the United States, coinciding with China’s largest military parade attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on September 3. However, Trump later stated his personal ties with Chinese leadership remain “very good.”
This exchange underscores rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, with Trump leveraging tariffs as a geopolitical tool while China advocates for diplomacy and warns against sanctions that could escalate global conflicts.
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