Beijing slams US ‘bullying’ over asking EU, NATO to impose tariffs on Chinese imports

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Beijing on Monday strongly criticized what it called US “bullying and economic coercion,” following Washington’s calls for G7 and NATO member nations to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports over Beijing’s continued trade with Russia.

“It is fully legitimate and lawful for China to carry out normal economic, trade and energy cooperation with all countries, including Russia. What the US has done is a typical move of unilateralism, bullying and economic coercion,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

Lin said that Washington’s move “seriously disrupts the international trade rules and threatens the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Facts have proven that coercion and pressure win no hearts and minds, still less will they solve anything.”

“China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable ways out of the crisis. China has, since day one, held an objective and just position and promoted talks for peace,” said the spokesman.

Lin said Beijing “firmly opposes relevant party directing the issue at China and abusing illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against China.”

“If China’s legitimate rights and interests are harmed, China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests,” he added.

Lin also addressed comments by the US President’s special envoy for Ukraine, Gen. Keith Kellogg, who spoke at a security forum in Kyiv last Saturday, saying that if China stopped supporting Russia, first of all economically, it would lead to a very quick end to the Russian aggressive war against Ukraine.

“On the Ukraine crisis, China holds an objective and just position, and has worked actively to promote peace talks. Most countries, including the US and those in Europe, continue to trade with Russia. The normal exchange and cooperation between Chinese and Russian companies are in line with the World Trade Organization's rules and market principles. They don’t target any third party and should not be interfered with or affected,” he said.

Without confirming or denying reports that Beijing was trying to invite Trump to China this year, Lin said: “China and the US have open channels of communication.”

When asked about Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's statement that there will be talks with China about planned tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese goods, Lin said Beijing "advocates a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization."

"We stand against all forms of unilateralism, protectionism and discriminatory and exclusionary measures. China firmly opposes moves taken under coercion to impose restrictions on China or hurt China’s legitimate rights and interests under whatever pretext," he added.