Challenging periods can strengthen friendships. For instance, consider President Donald Trump's international trade conflict. In response, China has retaliated, yet this cycle of reprisals has resulted in additional tariffs imposed by the U.S., totaling an extra 145 percent against Chinese goods.
Washington has provided a 90-day extension for other nations, giving them time to negotiate before the tariffs come into force. However, certain countries—even allies of China—are still subject to harsh duties on their exports, which seem unreasonable and unfounded.
For instance, countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia — which serve as trading and investing allies for China — are encountering tariff rates of 46 percent, 24 percent, and 49 percent correspondingly. These nations recently welcomed a visit from President Xi Jinping with the aim of strengthening enduring and amicable relations amidst challenging times.
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The shared understanding between the heads of the planet’s second-largest economy and representatives from ASEAN, now China’s top trading partner surpassing the EU, was evident globally.
Some warmer and more informal greetings could be seen alongside official state ceremonies, indicating genuine displays of friendship and respect.
Individuals holding Vietnamese and Chinese national flags awaited the president’s arrival at the airport in Hanoi. In rain-soaked Malaysia, children bearing flowers and lively lion dancers cheered up the presidential welcome.
Should additional proof be required of amicable ties, Xi selected these nations for his initial foreign visit of the year.
The United States has exempted smartphones, laptops, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment from the current tariffs imposed on Chinese goods; however, these items will encounter a fresh "industry-specific" tariff rate set to be announced soon. These measures remain significant obstacles for trade, leading to increased costs for American buyers and contributing to higher inflation rates.
China urgently requires expanding its trade relationships. In pursuit of this, it has been fostering connections and advocating for increased free trade with countries in the Global South such as the Middle East, South America, BRICS nations, and Southeast Asia.
During his meeting with Vietnamese President Tong Thi Phuong Tham in Hanoi, Xi stated that their countries should collaborate to combat "unilateral bullying" and emphasized that both have gained advantages from economic globalization.
In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that Malaysia supported China regarding trade matters.
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that his nation is prepared to enhance strategic security collaboration with China and increase two-way commerce.
Xi urged his hosts to "combat hegemony" and "reject protectionism." He stated that the trade war "jeopardizes the multilateral trading system and disrupts the global economic order."
Xi's message is unmistakable: nations ought to unite against US unilateral actions—particularly tariff aggression—by embracing globalization and multilateral approaches.
Amidst the divisions within America, Xi stressed that China aims to cultivate positive and advantageous relationships with neighboring countries through its foreign policy.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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