China raises stakes in trade war, warns nations against striking deals with US

China has issued a stern warning to other nations, cautioning them against striking broader trade agreements with the United States at the expense of Beijing.

This comes as tensions escalate in the ongoing tariff dispute between the world’s two largest economies.

Reports suggest that the Trump administration is pressuring countries negotiating tariff reductions with the US to reduce their trade with China.

While President Donald Trump has imposed a blanket 10% tariff on many nations, China faces far steeper levies—up to 145% on various goods.

In retaliation, Beijing has introduced its own tariffs, some as high as 125%, on US products.

The Trump administration claims that several countries are in active talks with the US to lower tariffs.

However, China's Ministry of Commerce strongly opposed any broader economic deals that could undermine China’s interests.

"Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected," a ministry spokesperson said.

"To seek one's own temporary selfish interests at the expense of others' interests is to seek the skin of a tiger," China warned, adding that such an approach would “ultimately fail on both ends and harm others.”

"China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China's interests," the spokesperson declared.

"If such a situation occurs, China will never accept it and will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures," they continued.

In addition, Beijing criticized Washington for what it described as the "abuse" of tariffs under the guise of "so-called 'equivalence,'" forcing all trade partners to enter into "reciprocal tariffs" negotiations.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce affirmed that China is "determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests" and expressed its willingness to strengthen solidarity with all parties.

President Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy has led both the US and China to impose significant duties on each other’s imports, intensifying a standoff that has fueled global recession concerns and caused market instability.

Bloomberg recently reported that the Trump administration is preparing to pressure nations seeking tariff exemptions from the US to scale back trade with China, potentially even imposing financial sanctions.

Trump has indicated that discussions with China over tariffs are ongoing, expressing optimism that a deal to resolve the trade war could be reached.

"Yeah, we're talking to China... I would say they have reached out a number of times," Trump said. “I think we're going to make a very good deal with China.”

China, however, has pledged to fight the trade war "to the end" and has not confirmed any direct talks with Washington, though it has called for dialogue.

Beijing has sharply criticized the US for what it views as "unilateralism and protectionism," warning that the international order could regress to a “law of the jungle.”

"Where the strong prey on the weak, all countries will become victims," China cautioned in its statement on April 21.