Nigeria Times

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

On April 9, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled “China’s Position on Certain Issues Concerning China-U.S. Economic and Trade Relations,” clarifying the facts about China-U.S. economic and trade relations, and elaborating the position of the Chinese side on relevant issues.

Drawing on extensive factual evidence, the white paper demonstrates that China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutuallybeneficial and win-win in nature. Yet the U.S. has repeatedly imposed unilateral tariffs, undermining the development of bilateral trade relations at the cost of both sides.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations are shaped by market forces and underpinned by strong internal dynamics. In international trade relations, countries exchange products based on their comparative advantages to realize their own value, meet each other’s needs, and achieve common development. This is a fundamental economic and trade principle.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S., the volume of trade has surged from less than $2.5 billion in 1979 to nearly $688.3 billion in 2024. This exponential growth was driven by the two countries’ highly complementary strengths in natural resources, human capital, markets, investment, and technology, leading to deeply integrated economic ties. The notion that the U.S. is losing out in trade with China is simply unfounded.

The economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S. has generated substantial benefits for both sides, with the U.S. benefiting no less than China.

UN data shows that in 2024, China was the destination for 51.7 percent of U.S. soybean exports, 29.7 percent of its cotton exports, 17.2 percent of its integrated circuit exports, 10.7 percent of its coal exports, 10.0 percent of its liquefied petroleum gas exports, 9.4 percent of its medical equipment exports, and 8.3 percent of its passenger motor vehicle exports.

In 2022, the number of American jobs supported by exports to China was 931,000. That same year, there were a total of 1,961 American enterprises (businesses holding a majority equity stake and having assets, sales, or net revenue of above $25 million) operating in China, with a combined total sales of $490.52 billion.

The U.S. has imported from China a large quantity of consumer goods, intermediate goods, and capital goods, which has supported the development of the supply and industrial chains of the U.S. manufacturing industry, provided U.S. consumers with more choices, lowered their cost of living, and increased the real purchasing power of the American people – especially the low and middle-income groups.

By fixating on the merchandise trade deficit, the U.S. distorts the reality of China-U.S. economic relations. The trade balance in goods between China and the U.S. is both an inevitable result of the structural issues in the U.S. economy and a consequence of the comparative advantages and international division of labor between the two countries. It is also an outcome of differing statistical approaches.

China never deliberately pursues a trade surplus. In fact, it has been actively expanding imports in recent years, striving to make its vast domestic market a globally shared one. The value-added accrued by China from much of the export of processed manufactured goods represents only a minor fraction of the total value of all commodities. Calculated by the trade in value-added method, the U.S. trade deficit with China would significantly decrease.

A comprehensive and in-depth assessment is required to objectively evaluate whether China-U.S. bilateral trade is balanced, as it cannot be based solely on trade in goods.

In 2023, the U.S. registered a surplus of $26.57 billion in service trade – a notable advantage for the country. Furthermore, in 2022, the sales revenue of the U.S.-owned enterprises in China reached $490.52 billion, significantly exceeding the $78.64 billion in sales revenue generated by Chinese-owned enterprises in the U.S.

When the three factors of trade in goods, trade in services, and the local sales of domestic enterprises’ branches in the other country are taken into full account, it can be seen that the economic and trade benefits gained by China and theU.S. are roughly balanced.

The rise of unilateralism and protectionism in the U.S.has led to repeated imposition of unilateral tariffs against China, significantly impeding the course of normal economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.Looking back, what has the U.S. really gained from years of tariff and trade wars? Has the overall trade deficit narrowed or widened? Has the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing improved or declined? Has inflation eased or worsened? Has the American people’s standard of living improved or deteriorated? The answers should be clear to Washington.

The latest so-called “reciprocal tariff” plan will only increase the burden on American households and hurt the future of American industries. In recent days, protests erupted in dozens of cities across the U.S. against this plan, and many market institutions have lowered their growth forecasts for U.S. economy this year.

The Peterson Institute for International Economics assesses that over 90 percent of the tariff costs will be borne by U.S. importers, downstream businesses, and ultimately, through higher prices, by the end consumers. The U.S. should not disregard the interests of the two countries and the international community by insisting on fighting tariff wars and trade wars.

There are no winner in a trade war. China does not seek one – but neither will it tolerate any infringement upon the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people. The Chinese government will continue to take firm countermeasures against U.S. economic coercion.

The Chinese side has always maintained that it is natural for China and the U.S. to have differences and frictions in their economic and trade cooperation. It is crucial to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, and find proper solutions to resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation.

The U.S. should move in the same direction with China, immediately remove the unilateral imposition of tariffs, strengthen dialogue, manage differences, promote cooperation, and jointly promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Once again, the U.S.administration is reaching for the blunt instrument of tariffs. Cloaked in the rhetoric of so-called “reciprocity,” the U.S.is moving to impose sweeping tariffs on all its trading partners, including China. Seeking unilateral advantage through maximum pressure, this approach runs counter to the very principles that have long underpinned international trade.

In response to this renewed economic coercion, China has taken and will continue to takeresolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests, while upholdinginternational fairness and justice. At the same time, China remains committed to high-level opening up and sharing development opportunities with the world for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

China’s countermeasures are grounded in law, logic, and proportionality. The so-called “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by the U.S. are less about economic logic than power politics. At their core lies an outdated belief in “might makes right” and “America Only” hegemony.

China, a civilization steeped in the values of sincerity and trustworthiness, does not seek confrontation. But it will never back down under pressure. History has taught a clear lesson: threats and intimidation do not work with China. They didn’t in the past, and they won’t now.

Development, after all, is the legitimate right of all countries – not a privilege reserved for a selected few. Yet under the guise of “reciprocity” and “fairness,” the U.S.is playing a zero-sum game. Its tariffs are not tools of balance but instruments of disruption that will destabilize the international economic and trade order. Little wonder the world has taken notice – and pushed back.

The path forward lies not in economic brinkmanship, but in defending the international system with the United Nations(UN) at its core and the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its center. These institutions remain essential for creating an enabling environment for common development and prosperity. China’s firm countermeasures against U.S. trade bullying are more than self-protection – it is a defense of the international order and the principle that international rules should not be bent at the whim of the powerful.

The record speaks volumes. After years of waging a tariff war, what has the U.S. accomplished? China’s foreign trade has remained resilient, its economy has grown stronger, and its capacity to withstand external shocks has only deepened. Meanwhile, the U.S. has failed to reduce its trade deficit or revive its manufacturing base. Instead, American businesses and households have absorbed the pain of higher costs and disrupted supply chains.

Now, as Washington raises the tariff stakes once again, sometemporary disruptions may follow, but China is more than prepared. With a vast economy and a comprehensive industrial system, China is transitioning from a manufacturer of quantity to one of high-quality, innovation-driven growth. It maintains trade relations with almost all countries and regions designated in the UN Statistics Division and stands as a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions.Even amid global turbulence, China’s commitment to win-win cooperation remains firm. Its development not only contributes to global growth but also reinforces its own resilience, fully capable of navigating and thriving through external shocks.

China stands firmly on the right side of history. Through continued opening up, it enhances its capacity for self-reliant development and brings predictabilityto an uncertain world.

To those who question whether China’s new development paradigm signals a retreat from opening up, the answer is unequivocal: the “dual circulation” strategy is not about closing doors – it is about ensuring that, even if others shut theirs, China still thrives. Its door is wide open, and the invitation to cooperation remains extended to all.

Under current circumstances, China’s choices reflect strategic clarity and long-term vision. In the face of containment and suppression, it remains focused on”doing its own affairs well”- a principle that includes unwavering pursuit of high-level opening up.

No matter how the international landscape shifts, China’s door to the world will only open wider, offering new opportunities for the world through its own development. China will steadily expand institutional opening up by proactively adopting relevantrules, regulations, management, and standards; promotetrade and investment liberalization and facilitation; foster a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment; and work with all countries to promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

History does not wait for those who stand against the current. Openness and cooperation are the trend of the times. The world should not – and will not – return to isolation and division.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. The U.S. should view the relationship from the perspective of the fundamental interests of both peoples, set aside the tariff weapon, and work with China to protect a sound and stable global economic order.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Li Weijun, People’s Daily

On a recent spring morning atYouyiguan Port, known as Friendship Pass, on the China-Vietnam border in Pingxiang city, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, a steady stream of trucks lined up at the border crossing, ferrying tropical fruits into China and hauling machinery and electronics to Vietnam. The scene is brisk, efficient – and increasingly automated.

Friendship Pass, one of the largest and most efficient land border crossings between China and Vietnam, is undergoing a high-tech overhaul. The site is being transformed into China’s first cross-border smart port, with the Chinese section scheduled to commence pilot operations later this year.

Roughly 1,500 vehicles now pass through the port each day. Once the upgrade is completed on both sides, clearance capacity is expected to multiply, strengthening trade links between China and ASEAN and deepening regional economic integration.

For Vietnamese truck driver Nguyen, the changes are already evident. “I just roll down my window for fingerprint and facial scans – the process typically takes about 45 seconds,”he said. Nguyenregularly transports fruits from Vietnam to distribution centers in China. The streamlined clearance process now enable him to make up to 30 round trips per month. “I hope to see even more Vietnamese fruits exported to China,” he said. “Faster clearance means more deliveries – and higher earnings.”

At a bonded warehouse near Friendship Pass, run by the Guangxi branch of Fuliankang Cross-Border Logistics, shipments of high-value electronic components arrive from Chinese factories, bound for assembly lines in Vietnam. With a few taps on his phone, warehouse manager Li Zhen pulls up real-time customs data. “The Smart Youyiguan appallows us to submitdeclarations in advance and track clearance in real time,”he said. “Ithas drastically reduced  processing times.”

In 2024, the company’s exports viaFriendship Passsurged to$240 millionmore than doublingthe previous year’s total.

The gains reflect a broader digital transformation underway at the port. Since 2022, Youyiguan Customshas rolled out a range of digital systems – including a smart logistics management platform, an intelligent inspection assistance system, and a smart quarantine processing system – all aimed at reducing delays and improving throughput.

In the first two months of this year, trade at the port recorded double-digit growth, giving China’s foreign trade a strong start.

The smart logistics management platform allows for real-time tracking from the moment a cargo manifest is submitted, using BeiDou satellite positioning and video surveillance to streamline dispatching. Meanwhile, the intelligent inspection assistance system uses display screens and geomagnetic sensors to monitor traffic flow and assign inspection baysautomatically – cutting wait times by 20 percent and increasing turnover efficiency by 35 percent.

The quarantine process has also been fully digitized. From vehicle queuing and fumigation scheduling to gas concentration monitoring and reportsubmission, the smart quarantine processing systemnow savesan average of 3.5 hours per shipment.

“Import clearance for a fruitcontainer previously took six hours,”said Lu Qiujing, a business manager at a Guangxi-based fruit importer. “Now it can be done in as little as three. That means less spoilage and quicker delivery to market.”

The China-Vietnam cross-border smart port project at Friendship Passrepresents a major investment in regional trade infrastructure, with a total outlay of 1.062 billion yuan ($145.49 million). It integrates advanced technologies such as satellite navigation, 5G technology, AI-driven transport vehicles, and large-scale automated cargo-handling machinery, along with smart inspection systems and a centralized command platform – all engineered to sustain uninterrupted, 24/7 operations.

The Chinese segment of the project has been largely complete and is now in system integration and testingphases, with trial runs scheduled to begin within the year.

“Once completed, the port will enable 24/7 customsclearance,”said Shi Lei, deputy director of Youyiguan Customs.”Goods will be able to travel from Nanning in Guangxi to Bac Giang or Bac Ninh in Vietnam within 24 hours – making round-the-clock cross-border trade a reality.”

Vietnamese authorities, for their part, approved their smart port development plan on August 17, 2024. Construction on the Vietnamese side is now in full swing.

Wei Zhaohui, director of the Guangxi International Expo Affairs Bureau, called the project not only a major step forward in enhancing port clearance capacity and expanding trade between the two countries, but also a model for promoting trade and investment liberalization across the broader China-ASEAN region.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

As the global economy wades through uncertainty and sluggish recovery, China is projecting a rare image: stability. With a combination of pro-business policies, a steadily improving business environment, and long-term social stability, the country continues to offer a fertile ground for foreign investorsseeking development in the long run.

In a world where access to large, integrated market has become an increasingly scarce commodity, China stands apart. The nation’s sheer demographic weight – over 1.4 billion people, including more than 400 million middle-income earners – offers multinationals an unmatched consumer base. With 180 million business entities and a unified national market, it remains the world’s most promising arenas for consumption upgrades, providing a “golden track” for foreign investors to gain a competitive edge.

That promise was on full display during this year’sSpring Festival holiday. Sales of key retail and catering enterprises climbed 4.1 percent year on year, while domestic tourism jumped 5.9 percent. From bustling cinemas to booming demand for ice and snow tourism, cultural travel, and trade-in programs, Chinese consumers are spending with renewed confidence.

To further stoke this momentum, China has released a new plan on special initiatives to boost consumption. The plan is composed of 30 policies across eight sections, aimed at encouraging consumption, upgrading economic structure, and driving high-quality development.

As Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and CEO of Prologis, noted, the rising demand from Chinese consumers represents a tremendous growth opportunity that continues to drive his company’s expansion in the country.

But China’s appeal is not solely about its market size. At the heart of its high-quality development lies a commitment to innovation – a powerful engine for foreign enterprises looking to deepen their presence. With a commitment to high-quality development, China is accelerating green, digital and smart transformation, which, coupled with the country’s sophisticated industrial ecosystem, provides the best testing ground for the latest outcomes of technological revolution and industrial upgrading.

Recent high-profile events have put this innovation agenda in the spotlight. The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 was held under carbon-neutral protocols, while the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum showcaseda range of cutting-edge technologies, including heavy-lift coaxial twin-rotor unmanned helicopters and optical quantum computers.

Global observers now routinely recognize the country as a hub for innovation, applauding its investments in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and new consumption models. Increasingly, multinationals are establishing R&D centers and innovation hubs across the country, drawn by a unique convergence of technology, talent, and market advantages – an ecosystem that facilitates mutual success.

That confidence is translating into concrete commitments. America’s Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) is building an intercontinental transfer hub in Shanghai. Siemens Heaththineers, a German health technology company, has broken ground on a new manufacturing and research facilityto produce high-end medical equipment in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province. British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced a $2.5 billion investment to establish a global strategic R&D center in Beijing, its sixth worldwide.

These moves reflect a broader trend captured in recent business sentiment surveys. According to the 2025 China Business Climate Survey Report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, nearly 70 percent of surveyed U.S. consumer firms plan to increase their investments in China this year.

The Business Confidence Survey Report for 2024/25 released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China revealed that 92 percent of German firms intend to continue their operations in the country, while 51 percent plan to boost their investment in the next two years.

Statistics from China’s Ministry of Commerce show that in January alone, foreign investments from the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the Netherlands in China surged by 324 percent, 104 percent, and 76 percent, respectively.

Even as geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds cloud global forecasts, the prevailing consensus among investors is that China still matters – and increasingly so. Its vast market, resilient economy, and enduring vitality continue to attract foreign ca

pital and long-term commitment. In the eyes of many international executives, China is more than an investment destination; it is a strategic partner in future growth. As the country deepens its commitment to openness, innovation, and global cooperation, it is cultivating not only stability but the promise of shared prosperity – a fertile ground poised to yield even greater returns for global enterprises.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

A central conference on work related to neighboring countries was held in Beijing from April 8 to 9. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission,delivered an important speech at the conference.

In his speech, Xi systematically summarized the achievements and experience of China’s neighborhood work in the new era, scientifically analyzed the current situation, and outlined the goals, tasks, ideas and measures for the next phase of neighborhood work. He has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China’s neighborhood work.

In today’s increasingly complex international landscape, China will be rooted in and contribute to its neighborhood, committed to building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. China’s continued engagement has brought much-needed stability and positive energy into the changing and turbulent world.

China’s vast territory and long borders make its neighborhood a vital foundation for achieving national development and prosperity, a key front for safeguarding national security, a priority area in the country’soverall diplomacy, and a crucial link in building a community with a shared future forhumanity..

To date, China has reached common understandings on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighboring countries, signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries, worked to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)with the cooperation plans of ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union, and remained the largest trading partner of its 18 neighbors.

Political mutual trust and shared interests between China and its neighbors continue to deepen. China’s longstanding principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy are gaining broader traction across the region. More and more, countries in the region are embracing the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness.

China has long aligned its own development with the aspirations of its neighbors, fostering shared prosperity and progress. The country’s high-quality development and a favorable neighborhood environment are mutually reinforcing, creating a virtuous cycle that strengthens both China and the surrounding region.

TheBRI, born in China’sneighborhood and benefitingits neighbors, continues to drive regional development. The China-Europe freight train network now connects over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Meanwhile, the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway havebrought high-speed rail dreams to life for regional countries. Major projects such as the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the “Two Countries, Twin Parks”model between China and Malaysia have significantly boosted local economies and improved livelihoods.

China’s embrace of open regionalism has further advanced its approach to shared growth, offering development opportunities rooted in mutual respect and win-win cooperation. As a major trading partner and a key source of investment in the region, China has concluded the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with relevant countries, and the upgraded Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is expected to be signed within the year. Through high-quality development and high-level opening up, China continues to deliver long-term benefits to its neighbors and share the dividends of Chinese modernization.

At present, China’s relations with its neighbors are in their best period in modern times. Meanwhile, they are entering a stage of deep interconnection between the regional situation and the evolution of the global landscape.

The collective rise of the Global South is becoming a major force for advancing multipolarity. China’s neighborhood is home to many Global South countries. China’s efforts to make innovations in regional cooperation mechanisms will galvanize greater solidarity, opening up and shared progress across the region.

China has played an active role in promoting cooperation under the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, East Asian Cooperation, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. It has initiated platforms such as the China-Central Asia Cooperation and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation,while hosting the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations. Together, these efforts createa growing web of multi-layered, cross-sector cooperation – reflecting China’s commitment to working with its neighbors to uphold true multilateralism.

On global issues such as climate change, cybersecurity, and sustainable development, China maintains close communication and cooperation with its neighbors, contributing “Asian strength” to the reform of the global governance system. Together with its neighbors, China is committed to creating a better future for the region and bringing more stability and hope

By He Yin, People’s Daily

During a recent meeting with representatives of the international business community, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to advancing reform and opening up. He emphasized that China’s door will only open wider, and the policy of welcoming foreign investment has not changed and will not change.

Amid increasing global uncertainties, China’s steadfast dedication to open development has been widely regarded as an “oasis of certainty.”​

The journey of reform and opening up has unfolded as a narrative of mutual progress between China and the international community,a reality powerfully manifested through the thriving operations of foreign enterprises in China.

Currently, foreign investments in China span 20 industries and 115 sub-sectors, with cumulative establishment of over 1.24 million foreign-fundedenterprises and total investmentapproaching $3 trillion.

Foreign investors have reaped substantial returns, with many expanding from single operations to diversified businesses, from localized ventures to nationwide presences, and from single factories to corporate conglomerates, experiencing exponential growth in both operational capacity and enterprise scale.

According to German media analyses, German businesses committed 5.7 billion euros ($6.23 billion) to Chinain 2024 alone, with the vast majority expressing their intent to maintain operations in the Chinese market.

Since the beginning of this year, a series of major foreign investment projects have been launched in China, with planned investments totaling 33 billionU.S. dollars.These developmentsdemonstrate that China has been and will remain an ideal, safe, and promising investment destination for foreign businesses

China is steadily expanding institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards, actively broadening and deepening its openness.

From the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement coming into effect to the addition of 297 items to Hainan Free Trade Port’s zero-tariff list for raw and auxiliary materials; from the opening of the first wholly foreign-owned tertiary general hospital in Tianjin to the approval of the first batch of 13 foreign-invested enterprises to operate value-added telecommunications services—a series of open policies have been implemented, accelerating the flow of personnel, goods, and capital.

In the first two months of 2025, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network connecting China’s western regions to global markets, saw a nearly 60 percent year-on-year increase in freight volume, while the China-Europe freight trains experienced a 15.4 percent growth in import and export cargo volume.

In the three months following the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the number of foreign entries at China’s ports surged by 34.9 percent year-on-year.​

Opening up is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization and reflects China’s commitment to contributing to global modernization. By hosting events like the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China Import and Export Fair, and the China International Consumer Products Expo – and by partnering with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations under the Belt and Road Initiative, China continues to inject vitality into global economic development.

China’s new energy vehicles are at the forefront of global innovation, driving worldwide trends. The country’s green technologies are empowering international partners in their low-carbon transitions. Meanwhile, the “first-launch economy”within China’s domestic market is rapidly expanding,attracting foreign enterprises to increasingly conduct research and development (R&D) activities in the country..

The vast potential of China’s market,itsdynamic innovationecosystem,and its continuously optimized legal framework present enduring opportunities for global businesses to deepen their engagement in China.This collaborative momentum is fostering shared growth between China and the international community.

Masato Kanda,president of theAsian Development Bank, noted that amid increasing fragmentation in global trade, China’s commitment to deepening reforms and advancing high-level opening up not only sustains its own robust economic growth but also makes significant contributions to the development of Asia and the global economy..

Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, remarked that China’s focus on “opening up” and “multilateralism” sends a strong signal of stability to all stakeholders.

True historical awareness and initiative lie not in predicting temporary tides but in becoming a force that shapes them. China firmly stands on the right side of history, resolutely promoting universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization. It possesses the determination to move forward, the vitality for development, and the moral appeal.

Looking ahead, more stories of open cooperation will be written in China, and China’s confidence in open development will increasingly become the world’s confidence in economic growth.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

The United States’ recent unveiling of a so-called “reciprocal tariff” plan – a sweeping proposal to impose tariffs on all its trading partners – has drawn widespread backlash from the international community. Critics contend that beneath the veneer of “reciprocity,” the plan is little more than economic bullying – a stark retreat into power politics that seriously unravels the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core and places global economic stability in jeopardy.

This policy is built onshaky grounds, relying on subjective judgments and unilateral assessments that severely infringeupon the legitimate rights and interests of other nations. WhileAmerican officials justify the move as a correction to so-called long-standing trade imbalances, this narrative of American”victimhood” rings hollow. It not only disregards the balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations but also ignores the fact that the U.S. has long benefited substantially from international trade.

At its core, this tariff strategy is not about fairness – it is about force. It leverages the sheer size of the American economy to strong-arm weaker trading partners into compliance, sidelining the very principles of multilateralism. By targeting all trading partners without discrimination, the U.S.appears to be transforming “America first” into something even more insular:”America Only.”

As The Economistobserved, the U.S. takes its trade policies back to the 19th century, ignoring the fact that globalization has brought unprecedented prosperity to itself.

This blatant display of “mightmakesright”is a direct assault on the rules-based order that has underpinned global trade for decades.Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, noted that the U.S. push for “reciprocal tariffs” violates WTO rules by discriminating among trading partners and unilaterally hiking duties beyond agreed limits.

The multilateral trading system, centered around the WTO, has played a crucial role in reducing trade frictions and fostering global economic stability and prosperity. The U.S. tariff plan does not just disrupt this system – it puts it at risk of collapse.

Already, America’s closest partners are pushing back.European Commission (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU is now preparing for further countermeasures to protect its interests and businesses if negotiations fail. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter pointed out, “The country’s long-term economic interests are paramount. Adherence to international law and free trade remains core values.” The Brazilian government said it was evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the WTO, in defense of legitimate national interests.

China, for its part, remains committed to multilateralism. As the world’s second-largest economy and a firm supporter of the multilateral trading system, China continues toadvocate for resolving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation – not through unilateral threats or protectionist measures.

China’s position is grounded in the belief that the principles and rules of the WTO must be upheld, that trade and investment should flow more freely, and that shared prosperity can only come from open cooperation. China believes that multilateralism is the only choice foraddressing global challenges, and economic globalization is an unstoppable trend of history.

In response to America’s”reciprocal tariffs,” China will take firm and effective measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. At the same time, China will continue to work with other countries to uphold true multilateralism, defend the multilateral trading system, promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, actively participate in global economic governance, and strive to build an open world economy.

In today’s era of economic globalization, retreating into beggar-thy-neighbor policies is not just short-sighted – it isself-defeating. Preserving the multilateral trading system is a prerequisite for safeguarding shared interests and securing lasting prosperity for all.

The U.S. should abandon its zero-sum approach, immediately withdraw its unilateral tariff measures, return to the path of dialogue and cooperation, and work with its trading partners on equal footing to properly resolve differences and deliver tangible benefits to people around the world.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

In the vast farmlands of Iowa, United States, farmer Grant Kimberley cultivates thousands of acres of soybeans. Following autumn harvests, the soybeans undergo cleaning, sorting, and packaging before being transported toMississippi Riverports for international shipping..

After traversing the Pacific Oceanfor several weeks, these cargo vessels reach Chinese ports. The soybeans are then delivered to processing plants, where they are refined into soybean oil and soybean meal.

The soybean oil enters China’s retail and food service sectors, becoming essential cooking oil for millions of householdsnationwide. Meanwhile, the soybean meal serves ashigh-quality feed for China’s livestock and poultry industries.

This transcontinental journey of Iowa soybeans exemplifies the dynamic agricultural cooperation between China and the United States.Agricultural collaboration has consistently remained one of the earliest-established, most substantive, and strategically significant areas in bilateral relations since diplomatic normalization.

As the world’s largest agricultural importer, China naturally complements the United States’ position as the top global agricultural exporter. This symbiotic relationship creates mutually beneficial outcomes, establishing both nations as inherently complementary partners in agricultural trade and development.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), American agricultural exports to China totaled 24.5 billion, with China purchasing $12.8 billion worth of soybeans—over half of the total.

These imports not only fulfill critical demands in China’s domestic market but also stimulate growth across U.S. agricultural supply chains, elevating farm incomes and generating measurable mutual benefits.

Sino-U.S. agricultural collaboration has enriched consumer choices in both nations while bolstering rural livelihoods. In 2023, the average U.S. farmer exported approximately $9,000 in agricultural goods to China. A significant milestone occurred in January 2023, when the two nations reinstated their bilateral agricultural cooperation framework, paving the way for joint advancements in climate-resilient farming practices and sustainable food production. This partnership continues to diversify in scope and ambition.

As China transitions from a major agricultural producer to a global agricultural powerhouse, its modernization drive—engaging nearly 500 million farmers—is amplifying demand for premium agricultural products. This evolution promises expanded opportunities for Sino-U.S. agricultural trade within open, rules-based markets.

Deepening agricultural ties between China and the U.S. extend far beyond bilateral gains, serving as a cornerstone for global food security and agricultural innovation. The inherent complementarity between the world’s largest agricultural importer and exporter fosters a stable, mutually reinforcing relationship that benefits producers, consumers, and global supply chains alike.

The two nations have collaborated extensively in agricultural technology and sustainable development, spanning innovations such as precision agriculture, biotechnology,water-efficientirrigation systems, and smart farming practices.These joint efforts have injected substantial momentum into global agricultural modernization, driving the transformation of food production systems worldwide and bolstering initiatives to combat hunger and poverty..

In recent years, however,China-U.S. agricultural cooperation has encountered mounting challenges. The U.S. government’s tariff imposition of tariffs has cast uncertainty over bilateral agricultural trade.As the Washington Post recently highlighted, Washington’s protectionist trade policies have once again positioned American farmers at the epicenter of global trade tensions.

Analyses by U.S. media estimate that tariff measures enactedbetween 2018 and 2019 resulted in nearly $26 billion in lost agricultural exports, with American farmers’ incomes in 2019 plummeting by approximately 8% compared to 2017 levels.

The USDA’s 2025 Agricultural Outlook projects that U.S. agricultural exports to China at $22 billion for 2025. Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council, underscored that farmers bear the brunt of trade war repercussions—a sentiment echoing across American agricultural communities.

Trade wars produce no victors. Unilateralism and protectionism not only contravene market principles but also erode the bedrock of China-U.S agricultural cooperation. Agriculture, as a cornerstone of societal well-being, must remain insulated from politicization or unwarranted securitization.

China remains committed to openness and inclusiveness, steadfastly advancing high-level openingup. It is imperative for the United Statescollaborate with China in resolving differences through constructive dialogue, fostering a stable environment for agricultural cooperation, and  safeguarding the shared interests of farmers and consumers in both nations.By aligning efforts, the two countries can spearhead sustainable agricultural development on a global scale.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)