President urges EU joint efforts to protect global trade, resist bullying

There are no winners in a tariff war and China is not afraid of unreasonable suppression, said Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling on the European Union to work with China to jointly resist unilateral bullying.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on April 11, the first time the Chinese leader spoke publicly on the tariff war launched by the United States on April 2.

There is no winner in a tariff war and going against the world ultimately results in self-isolation, Xi said.

He emphasized that China’s development over the past 70 years and more has been through self-reliance and hard work, never on others’ mercies, and it certainly does not fear unreasonable suppression.

Xi said whatever changes may take place in the external environment, China will remain confident, resolute, and focused on running its own affairs effectively.

The president noted that China and the EU are both major world economies and staunch supporters of economic globalization and free trade, with their combined economic output accounting for over one-third of the global total, forming a deep economic interdependence.

China and the EU should fulfill their international responsibilities, jointly uphold the trend of economic globalization and the international trading environment, and resist unilateral bullying in order to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests, while upholding international fairness and justice and maintaining international rules and order, Xi said.

Xi’s remarks came amid the escalating US tariff war with China. The White House clarified on April 10 that the 125 percent tariffs on Chinese imports announced on April 9 were on top of a previous 20 percent, adding up to a whopping levy of 145 percent against China.

In response to a question about the US tariff hike, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on April 11 that China’s countermeasures are not only aimed at safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests but also at upholding international rules and order. “In the face of US bullying and arrogance, there is no way forward through compromise and concession,” Lin said at a regular news conference.

Sanchez was the first European leader to visit China following the US announcement of sweeping tariffs. The two-day official visit, starting on April 10, marked his third trip to China within three years.

He told Xi that China is an important partner for the EU, and Spain consistently supports the stable development of EU-China relations.

The EU remains committed to open and free trade, is dedicated to upholding multilateralism, and opposes unilateral tariff increases, Sanchez said, adding there are no winners in a trade war.

Faced with a complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China, uphold the international trade order, and jointly cope with challenges such as climate change, he said.

On April 11, Premier Li Qiang held talks with Sanchez. They witnessed the signing of an array of cooperation agreements on economy, trade, and science and technology.

Both sides issued an action plan (2025-28) to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

China and the EU have closely coordinated on trade issues recently.

On April 8, Premier Li held a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video meeting with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic. Observers said that the US tariff war may provide an opportunity to bring Brussels and Beijing closer together.

Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said it is imperative that China and the EU jointly confront the US tariffs challenge, as Washington’s unilateral policies would severely damage globalization and the multilateral trading system.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn