Beijing’s top envoy in New Delhi on Thursday expressed strong support for India, citing the steep US tariffs imposed against the country, and called for “teamwork” and “collaboration” between the world’s two most populous nations in standing up to the “bully”.
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“US imposed tariffs of up to 50 per cent on India. China firmly opposes it. Silence only emboldens the bully. China will firmly stand with India, uphold the multilateral trading system,” Ambassador Xu Feihong said.
He said tariffs and trade wars are undermining the very free trade international system the US once benefited from, and accused Washington of wielding tariffs as a “bargaining chip to demand exorbitant prices from various countries.”
He made the remarks at the SCO Summit 2025: Resetting India-China Ties, organised by the Chintan Research Foundation, a New Delhi think tank.
The rare show of solidarity comes against the backdrop of a turbulent global trade environment amid US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies targeting both countries. Peter Navarro, a White House senior trade adviser, on Thursday slammed India as “maharaja” of tariffs that has begun “cozying up” to President Xi Jinping.
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Earlier this month, Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods after trade talks stalled following five rounds of negotiations, with Washington pushing for full market access in politically sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy. According to sources familiar with the talks, New Delhi had offered zero per cent tariffs on American goods in several sectors but demands same rate for Indian goods.