Wang Yi, the head of Chinese diplomacy and Minister of Foreign Affairs, sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on imports from China. He said, "The United States should review what it has gained from years of trade wars," adding, "China has provided all kinds of assistance to the United States with humanitarian spirit, and should not repay grace with resentment." He also made it clear that he has the willingness to negotiate with the United States.
During a press conference at the press center for the Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference) on the 7th, Wang noted regarding the U.S. tariffs, "The United States should review what it has gained from the tariff wars and trade wars over the past years," and questioned, "Has the trade deficit expanded or narrowed? Has the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry increased or decreased? Has inflation improved or worsened? Have people's lives gotten better or worse?"
He added, "The economic and trade relationship between China and the United States is mutually beneficial," stating that if the U.S. chooses cooperation, it can achieve win-win results, but if it chooses to suppress, China will surely respond resolutely. Trump has added an overall 20% tariff on imports from China on the 4th of last month and the 4th of this month. On each occasion, China responded by imposing tariffs of 10-15% on some U.S. imports and taking retaliatory measures against U.S. corporations.
Wang also strongly criticized the U.S. for imposing tariffs on Chinese imports citing the influx of fentanyl. He said, "In early 2019, we were the first to place all fentanyl analogs on the control list globally at the request of the United States," and added, "The abuse of fentanyl in the United States is a problem that the U.S. itself must face and resolve." He further stated, "China has provided all kinds of assistance to the United States with humanitarian spirit," emphasizing that the U.S. should not repay grace with resentment or raise tariffs without reason. This is not the act of a responsible great power.
Wang expressed that he could not accept the U.S. claim regarding the influx of the synthetic drug "fentanyl" as the reason for imposing tariffs on Chinese imports. He emphasized, "China has always cracked down on drug trafficking and production, and today holds the strictest and most thorough drug control policies in the world." He reiterated, "In early 2019, we listed all fentanyl analogs on the control list at the request of the U.S.," and reiterated, "The abuse of fentanyl in the United States is a problem that the U.S. itself must face and resolve." He added that "China has provided all kinds of assistance to the United States with humanitarian spirit," stating that the U.S. should not repay grace with resentment or raise tariffs without reason. This is not the act of a responsible great power.
In the meantime, regarding Trump's hopes for improving relations with China, Wang noted, "Such a dual approach will not only fail to help stabilize relations between the two countries but also fail to build mutual trust." He said, "Mutual respect is a fundamental norm in international relations and a key prerequisite for China-U.S. relations," adding that "No country can develop good relations with China while oppressing and containing it." This implies that for the bilateral relationship to improve, the U.S. must stop increasing tariffs and technology restrictions.
Wang commented on the U.S. technology restrictions against China, saying, "Where there are blockades, there are breakthroughs, and where there is oppression, there is innovation," adding that "the most intense storm takes place on the stage of 'Nezha Naohai' and 'Yilichongtian.'" This suggests that China can achieve technological progress even amidst U.S. oppression.
Wang stated, "The high walls of a small courtyard (the U.S. technology restrictions) cannot block innovative thinking, and the separation of supply chains will ultimately isolate itself," emphasizing that "Science and technology is not a tool to build an iron curtain, but a wealth shared by all." He reiterated his commitment to technology openness, unlike the U.S. He said, "We will share innovative achievements with more countries and explore the stars and the sea together with everyone."
However, he kept the door open for negotiations with the U.S. Wang stated, "As the largest developing country in the world, China, and developed country, the United States, will exist on this planet for a long time, so we must coexist peacefully," adding, "As President Trump pointed out during a call earlier this year, conflict and confrontation should not be an option." He further stated, "We hope that the U.S. will engage in proactive and practical exchanges with China and walk together on the right path that benefits both countries and the world."
Wang also differentiated between Trump’s nationalism and China's "multilateralism" diplomatic strategy. He noted, "There are more than 190 countries in the world," and said, "If every country emphasizes its national priorities and believes in power and status, the world will regress to the law of the jungle, small and weak countries will be harmed, and international rules and order will be severely affected." He continued, "There is a saying in the West, 'There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.' However, from China's perspective, friends must be eternal, and interests should naturally be shared."
Regarding the influence of Trump's pro-Russia stance on Sino-Russian relations, Wang emphasized the unchanging friendly relations. He said, "No matter how the international environment changes, the historical reason for Sino-Russian friendship will not change, and its intrinsic driving force will not weaken." He noted, "China and Russia are seeking 'non-alignment, non-confrontation, and third-party non-targeting' coexistence methods and are at the forefront of a new great power relationship, setting an example for relations with neighboring countries," adding that "A mature, resilient, and stable Sino-Russian relationship will not be altered by temporary events, and third parties will not interfere."
Regarding the ongoing peace negotiations in the Ukraine war led by the U.S. and Russia, he stated, "The security of one nation should not be built on the instability of another nation," emphasizing that "To genuinely achieve enduring stability on the Eurasian continent and the world, a new security concept of cooperation, collective, comprehensive, and sustainable must be practiced."
On the possibility of resuming imports of Japanese seafood, he stated, "In regard to some of Japan's concerns, China will maintain a responsible attitude and handle them appropriately in accordance with regulations." China, which used to be the largest importer of Japanese seafood, imposed a total ban on Japanese seafood imports in August 2023 after Tokyo Electric Power Company began releasing contaminated water from the Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant. He did not disclose his stance on Sino-Korean relations or issues related to the Korean Peninsula.