China has issued a strong warning to countries considering alignment with the United States in its efforts to isolate Beijing amid the escalating trade conflict between the two largest global economies.
This caution comes as Washington reportedly seeks to use tariff negotiations to pressure its allies into reducing commercial ties with China, raising the stakes for nations caught between the superpowers.
“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests. If this happens, China will not accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures,” a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce declared on Monday.
The ministry criticised any agreements that sacrifice China’s position for short-term gains, comparing such concessions to “asking a tiger for its hide,” which ultimately harms all involved. Beijing framed its stance as a defence of international fairness and multilateral trade rules, condemning the US for abusing tariffs and engaging in unilateral bullying that threatens the global economic order.
The Trump administration’s trade policy has increasingly focused on pressuring partners to limit their economic engagement with China. Reports suggest Washington is urging allies to prevent Chinese goods from transiting their territories, block Chinese companies from establishing operations that might circumvent U.S. tariffs, and avoid integrating China’s competitively priced industrial products into their markets. This strategy aims to isolate China economically in exchange for easing tariff burdens on those countries.
In response, China has escalated its own tariffs on American imports to as high as 125% and implemented non-tariff measures targeting U.S. businesses. These include restrictions on critical mineral exports essential to high-tech and defence sectors, limitations on Hollywood film imports, and the return of Boeing aircraft originally destined for Chinese airlines.
Beijing has also blacklisted several smaller U.S. companies, barring them from cooperation with Chinese firms. Analysts interpret these moves as Beijing’s demonstration of resilience and strategic targeting of U.S. vulnerabilities beyond mere tariff battles.
Against this backdrop, Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, which are all key regional partners. His journey aimed to strengthen economic cooperation and present China as a stable and reliable partner amid the uncertainty generated by U.S. trade policies.
Experts warn that the trade war’s ripple effects could change global commerce, particularly impacting regions such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
The conflict shows no immediate signs of resolution. Despite President Trump’s recent optimism about reaching a deal “within the next three to four weeks,” analysts remain sceptical given the entrenched positions on both sides. China has also escalated its legal challenge by filing a complaint with the World Trade Organisation against the U.S.’s latest tariff hikes, appointing Li Chenggang—a seasoned trade diplomat and former WTO ambassador—as its new vice minister and chief negotiator for international trade.