News Brief
With India–US Deal On The Horizon, China Warns Countries Not To Strike Trade Agreements With Washington At Its Expense
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking at a conference in Beijing. (File Photo) (Photo by Nicolas Asfouri-Pool/Getty Images)
China has warned that it will take “firm, resolute countermeasures” if any country enters into tariff relief deals with the United States at the expense of Chinese interests.
The warning comes ahead of 9 July, when a 90-day tariff reprieve granted by the Trump administration is set to expire.
In a statement issued on Saturday (28 June) evening, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said it firmly opposed any arrangements with the US that compromised China’s rights.
“Should such a situation arise, China will never accept it and will take firm, resolute countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests,” the ministry stated, South China Morning Post reported.
The ministry urged all parties to resolve trade disputes through “equal consultations” and to uphold multilateral trade rules.
"China welcomes all parties to resolve trade disputes with the US through equal consultations. We call on them to be on the side of fairness and justice and vigorously uphold multilateral international trade rules," it said.
The United States is currently intensifying negotiations with more than a dozen countries, including India, the European Union, Japan, and Vietnam, according to recent statements by US officials.
These talks aim to finalise bilateral arrangements before the reinstatement of the sweeping 'reciprocal' tariffs that were imposed the Trump administration in April but later paused for 90 days.
For countries that do not reach agreements, the US may impose unilateral tariff rates.
On Thursday, Trump stated that a trade deal had been signed with China, although no further details were made public.
The following day, China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that it would begin reviewing export applications for controlled items, with the US expected to lift some of its trade restrictions in return.
India is among the countries currently in active trade negotiations with the US. Talks between New Delhi and Washington are reported to be in an advanced stage, though differences remain on tariff cuts and market access.
While announcing the trade deal with China on Thursday, Trump has also signalled that a "very big" trade agreement with India could be in the works.
Trump's announcement came weeks after negotiators from the two countries held four-day closed-door talks on the agreement.
Speaking at the 'Big Beautiful Event' held at the White House, Trump said a "great deal" with India was on the table.
"Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one," he said, NDTV reported.
