China Urges India To Unite Against ‘US Abuse Of Tariffs’ As Trump Escalates Trade War

Amid escalating trade tensions with Washington, China on Tuesday urged India to unite in resisting what it described as the "US abuse of tariffs", following President Donald Trump's announcement of a steep increase, raising cumulative tariffs on Chinese imports to 104 per cent.

Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, criticised the United States' tariff measures, stating that China's consistent economic growth, innovation, and strong manufacturing sector have brought positive effects for the global economy.

Photo Credit: PTI

"China's economy is underpinned by a system that ensures steady growth, and produces positive spillovers. Chinese manufacturing is built on a complete and continually upgrading industrial system, sustained investment in R&D, and a strong focus on innovation. China is a firm defender of economic globalisation and multilateralism, which has injected strong impetus into the world economy, contributing to around 30 percent of global growth annually on average. We will continue to work with the rest of the world to safeguard the multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core," Yu Jing wrote in a post on X.

She further stated that India and China, being the two largest developing nations, ought to stand together against the tariff measures imposed by the United States, highlighting their economic ties as both complementary and mutually advantageous.

"China-India economic and trade relationship is based on complimentarity and mutual benefit. Facing the U.S. abuse of tariffs, which deprives countries, especially Global South countries, of their right to development, the two largest developing countries should stand together to overcome the difficulties. Trade and tariff wars have no winners. All countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, practice true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism," she added.

What triggered escalation of US-China trade war?

A major escalation in the trade conflict between the United States and China appeared inevitable on Tuesday as President Donald Trump pressed ahead with a new set of tariffs targeting multiple trade partners.

Since Trump's return to the White House, cumulative duties on Chinese goods have now reached 104 per cent.

The sharp rise came in response to retaliatory action by Beijing, but Trump showed no intention of backing down, even as key US stock indices recorded another day of losses on Tuesday.

Trump maintains that his tariff policy is intended to revive domestic manufacturing by encouraging companies to bring operations back to the United States.

However, many economists and industry experts remain sceptical, warning that such policies could stoke inflation and saddle consumers with higher prices.

Despite these concerns, Trump defended his strategy on Tuesday, stating: "The United States was taking in almost $2 billion a day" from tariffs.

Initially, Trump announced an additional 34 per cent tariff on Chinese imports. When Beijing responded with a matching 34 per cent duty on US goods, he escalated further, vowing to impose another 50 per cent tariff.