CCTV News: According to the Ministry of Commerce, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions about the United States' use of tariffs to coerce other countries to restrict economic and trade cooperation with China.
A reporter asked: According to reports from multiple overseas media, sources revealed that the Trump administration is preparing to put pressure on other countries in tariff negotiations to require other countries to restrict trade with China in exchange for US tariff exemptions. What is the spokesperson’s comment on this?
A: We have noticed the relevant reports. Recently, the United States has abused tariffs on all trading partners under the banner of so-called "reciprocity", and at the same time coerced all parties to start negotiations on so-called "reciprocity" with it. This is to promote hegemony and unilateral bullying in the economic and trade field under the guise of "equality". Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot get respect. For self-interest, in exchange for the so-called exemption of harming others' interests is to seek a slash with a tiger, but in the end it will only lead to failure and harming others and not benefiting oneself.
China respects all parties to resolve their economic and trade differences with the United States through equal consultations. China believes that all parties should stand on the side of fairness and justice on the issue of "reciprocal tariffs", on the correct side of history, and defend international economic and trade rules and multilateral trading system. It should be pointed out in particular that China firmly opposes either party reaching a deal at the expense of China's interests. If this happens, China will never accept it and will take countermeasures reciprocally. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.
Faced with the impact of unilateralism and protectionism, no one can survive alone. Once international trade returns to the "rule of the jungle" of the survival of the strong, all countries will become victims. China is willing to strengthen unity and coordination with all parties, work together to respond, jointly resist unilateral bullying, safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, and defend international fairness and justice.