WATCH THE VIDEO HERE China has warned countries against signing trade agreements with the United States that could harm Beijing’s interests, signaling a hardening stance as trade tensions with Washington escalate. In a statement released on Monday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said it “resolutely opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” adding that it “will never accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures.” The ministry also called for greater coordination among countries to resist what it described as “unilateral bullying acts.” The warning comes amid efforts by several countries to negotiate exemptions or modifications to the sweeping tariffs imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump. In exchange for tariff relief, Washington has been pressing its trading partners to scale back their economic ties with China, particularly in manufacturing and high-tech sectors. According to reports, US officials have considered asking other nations to impose “secondary tariffs” on imports from countries closely linked to China. The United States has also urged its allies not to absorb Chinese exports affected by American tariffs, a move aimed at preventing Beijing from circumventing trade restrictions. China has previously retaliated against countries that it perceives to be acting against its interests in coordination with the US. In 2016, when South Korea agreed to deploy the US-developed Thaad missile defense system, Beijing responded with economic measures, including restrictions on tourism and curbs on South Korean businesses operating in China. More recently, China has leveraged its dominance in critical raw materials as a geopolitical tool.
China warns countries against US trade deals that undermine its interests
