China has strongly condemned the tariffs imposed or threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that such measures could destabilize the global trading system. The criticism was voiced at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on Tuesday, where China described the tariffs as “tariff shocks” that could lead to economic uncertainty, disrupted trade, and even a global recession.
China’s ambassador to the WTO, Li Chenggang, stated that the U.S. unilateralism threatens to undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system. His remarks came after Trump announced sweeping 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own tariffs and file a WTO dispute against Washington.
In response, U.S. envoy David Bisbee criticized China’s economic system as “predatory” and accused Beijing of failing to uphold its commitments since joining the WTO over two decades ago. He cited China’s alleged violations and evasion of WTO rules as evidence of its non-compliance.
The WTO discussion, which began on Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, marks the first time the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China have been formally addressed at the WTO’s General Council. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for calm, emphasizing that the WTO was created to manage such disputes and maintain an open, predictable trading environment.
While some delegates expressed concern over the risks tariffs pose to global trade stability, others criticized China for alleged market distortions. Some trade officials viewed China’s intervention as a strategic move to position itself as a defender of WTO rules, potentially gaining allies in ongoing global trade negotiations.
The trade tensions between the U.S. and China predate the Trump administration, with disputes over China’s “developing country” status and accusations of rule-breaking on both sides. However, the Trump administration’s approach has intensified the conflict, raising questions about the future of the WTO and global trade relations.
