‘Won’t sit back’: China says it doesn’t fear more US levies, reaches out to EU, ASEAN

Beijing’s commerce ministry however, said, “the door to dialogue is open”, adding, “We hope the US will meet China halfway, and, based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation.”

Trump, under mounting market pressure, announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs for most countries—but doubled down on China, raising duties on its imports to a staggering 125 per cent. This came after, Beijing slapped an 84 per cent tariff on US goods, effective Thursday in retaliation to earlier raise of tariff by Washington.

In another bold counter-move to Trump’s escalating trade war rather than negotiating directly with Washington, Beijing is also reaching out to global partners in an effort to isolate US and build a united front against Washington’s spiralling tariff regime.

According to reports by AP, China is initiating talks with the European Union, ASEAN, and other key partners. Beijing hopes to portray US move as typical “unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying”.

“A just cause receives support from many,” Jian said, doubling down on China’s claim to moral high ground. China has so far secured diplomatic engagement with the EU, including a call between Premier Li Qiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and a video summit between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

Wang condemned Trump’s tariffs as violations of WTO rules and a threat to global economic stability, calling them “economic bullying” and “a typical act of unilateralism.”

Still, not everyone is rushing to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Beijing. Australia, scarred by previous economic retaliation from China, has taken a neutral stance. “We stand on our own two feet,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The levies appear to have led Beijing to make several conciliatory statements about New Delhi; the latest was Tuesday, when the Chinese Embassy called on India and China to “stand together to overcome difficulties”.

“China-India economic and trade relationship is based on mutual benefits. Facing the US’ abuse of tariffs, which deprives countries, especially in the ‘Global South’, of their right to development, the largest developing countries (in the area) should stand together…” Yu Jing, the spokesperson for the Embassy in Delhi, said on X.

However, India has reportedly declined a Chinese invitation to coordinate, and even Russia, China’s usual ally, remains unaffected by the new US tariff slate.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Cambodia—beneficiaries of manufacturing shifts from China—now find themselves squeezed by new tariffs, with limited alternatives and little negotiating leverage.

Even Taiwan, a US ally and tech powerhouse, is not spared. Facing a new 32 per cent tariff on its exports to the US, Taiwanese officials say they’re preparing for direct talks with Washington.

Amid the global economic shake-up, markets responded with cautious optimism. Investors cheered the temporary US tariff suspension on most countries: Japan’s Nikkei soared over 9 per cent, Germany’s DAX rose 7.5 per cent, and the FTSE 100 in London surged 5.4 per cent. Chinese markets, however, remained subdued, weighed down by the ongoing escalation with the US.

In Hong Kong, a fiery op-ed from the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned Washington not to expect negotiations until it “rectifies its wrong practices” and adopts an attitude of “equality, respect and mutual benefit.”

The CSI300 Index, which tracks blue-chip stocks in mainland China, rose 1.3%, while the broader Shanghai Composite Index climbed 1.2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fared even better, gaining 2.1% by the close.

The broader message from Beijing remains clear: China isn’t calling Washington—it’s calling everyone else. Whether the world answers may determine the course of the biggest trade confrontation in decades.

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