China warns against trade agreement with USA at China's expense
In the tariff conflict with the US, the Chinese government has warned other countries against concluding trade agreements with US President Donald Trump's administration at China's expense. A spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce threatened to take countermeasures on Monday.
21.04.2025, 05:24
SDA
Beijing "firmly opposes any party reaching an agreement at the expense of China's interests", a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said on Monday. "If such a situation occurs, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures."
"Appeasement" will "not bring peace", Beijing added. Compromises would "not be respected". "Where the strong exploit the weak, all countries become victims."
Appeasement comes from the English verb "appease". In the context of international relations, the term refers to a policy of restraint or accommodation towards aggressive states - with the aim of preventing war. The term is particularly associated with the policy of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who ruled from 1937 to 1940, towards Hitler's Germany.
China as the main opponent
US President Trump has imposed high tariffs on imports from other countries in recent weeks. He took particularly harsh action against China, which he sees as his main opponent in terms of trade policy. Beijing responded with high counter-tariffs. The US tariffs on Chinese imports now amount to 145%, even though the US government later reduced the rate to 20% for important imports of electronic devices.
A number of countries are currently negotiating with the United States to reduce tariffs, including Canada, the UK and Vietnam. On behalf of the EU member states, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is officially negotiating the tariffs with Washington.
