The constant imposition of import tariffs by the United States will greatly harm developing countries, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has warned.
He fears this could even lead to a humanitarian crisis.
China’s “forceful countermeasures” are meant to protect the nation’s legitimate rights and interests, Wang said during a video call with World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
WTO members must unite to combat protectionism and bullying practices through open cooperation, Wang stressed in a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Saturday. He noted that the least developed countries face the greatest risks from the American tariffs.
Despite the recent escalation of the trade war between the world’s two largest economies, US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was optimistic about reaching a trade agreement with China. Both countries have repeatedly announced higher import tariffs on each other’s products in a short time.
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On Friday, China announced it would increase tariffs on American goods to 125%. In response, the US raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%.
China declared its intention to end the spiral of actions and reactions and announced on Friday that it would ignore further US tariff increases on Chinese products.
