Chinese ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, publicly condemned the United States for its implementation of steep tariffs on Indian imports, stating that Beijing "firmly opposes" such actions. Speaking at a recent event in Delhi, Xu denounced the U.S. for behaving like a "bully" that has historically taken advantage of free trade, now leveraging tariffs as a means to extort "exorbitant prices" from other nations.
He highlighted that the U.S. has increased tariffs on India to as much as 50%, threatening further punitive measures in the future. Xu remarked, "US has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India and even threatened for more. China firmly opposes it. Silence only emboldens the bully."
The tensions stem from recent actions by former President Trump, who imposed a 25% tariff on India and an additional 25% on the country's purchases of Russian oil and defense equipment. These tariffs are set to take effect on August 27. India has defended its decision to purchase cheaper Russian crude in light of rising global energy prices, especially after the onset of the Ukraine conflict. Indian officials have noted that the U.S. had initially encouraged India to buy Russian oil to stabilize world markets.
While tensions with the United States deteriorate, India and China appear to be mending their historically fraught relationship. Relations between the two nations had soured significantly after violent clashes in Galwan, Ladakh, in 2020. However, recent remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a visit to Delhi suggested a move toward reconciliation, with calls for India and China to see themselves as “partners” rather than adversaries.
During his address, Xu reiterated those sentiments, positioning India and China as "double engines" for Asian economic growth and arguing that cooperation between them is essential for the global community. He further urged India to foster an equitable business environment for Chinese enterprises operating within its borders, which in turn would benefit both nations' populations.
Xu also lamented the disruption of the global economy brought on by tariff and trade wars, referencing the impacts of U.S. policies on the international trading system and expressing solidarity with India in upholding multilateral trade guidelines rooted in WTO principles.
As preparations are underway for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, both leaderships seem poised to reinvigorate bilateral relations and explore avenues for mutual benefit amidst challenging global economic dynamics.
