As part of its carrot-and-stick strategy to win over nations sandwiched between the two biggest economies in the world, Beijing has cautioned its trade partners from caving in to US pressure to isolate China in President Donald Trump’s tariff battle.
Appeasement does not bring peace, and compromise does not earn respect,” a spokesman for China’s Commerce Ministry said Monday in response to recent media reports about the Trump administration’s intentions to pressure nations into limiting trade with China in exchange for exemptions from US tariffs.
It is like begging a tiger for its skin to pursue short-term self-interest at the expense of others in exchange for purported exemptions. Ultimately, it will accomplish nothing and hurt oneself and other people,” the spokesman stated in a statement.
Any party that strikes a deal at the expense of China’s interests is strongly opposed by China. The spokesman went on to say, “China will not tolerate such a situation and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures.
The harsh warning follows Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s charm drive in Southeast Asia, where he portrayed China as a dependable ally and ardent supporter of international trade, in sharp contrast to the Trump administration’s policy uncertainties and tariff retaliation.
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