China Calls for India’s Partnership to Resist Global Trade Challenges

China has urged India to collaborate in resisting U.S. trade policies, which it claims harm developing nations and disrupt the global trade order. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, in The Indian Express, criticized U.S. tariffs under Donald Trump, warning of economic chaos if nations comply with Washington's demands. Highlighting shared economic potential, Xu proposed a synergistic partnership between India and China to drive global growth and counter unilateralism. He called for unity to promote fairness and a sustainable global trade framework.

Amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, Beijing has extended an olive branch to New Delhi, urging closer cooperation to bolster the Global South. Writing in The Indian Express, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong underscored the importance of India rejecting what he described as Washington's coercive trade practices.

The Ambassador criticized the United States for exploiting tariffs as a weapon, accusing it of disregarding World Trade Organization (WTO) norms and disrupting the global trade framework under the pretense of promoting "fairness" and "reciprocity." Ambassador Xu argued that the trade policies championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump were designed to stifle the progress of developing nations, effectively locking them into a subordinate role within the global supply chain.

Taking a broader view of global trade dynamics, Xu expressed concern about countries seeking favorable terms from the United States by capitulating to its demands. Such appeasement, he warned, risks plunging the world into economic chaos reminiscent of the Great Depression—or worse, a “lawless jungle” where international rules are disregarded.

In his appeal to India, Xu highlighted the vast economic potential shared by the two neighboring nations. He presented a vision of enhanced collaboration between India and China, suggesting that their combined efforts could yield an exponential "1+1=11" impact on global growth. The Ambassador emphasized that greater synergy between the two Asian giants could provide a counterbalance to the disruptive policies emanating from the U.S. and pave the way for a more equitable global trade order.

Ambassador Xu concluded his message with a call for unity, urging nations to uphold the principles of fairness and cooperation in the face of mounting unilateralism. He framed the current moment as a critical juncture for countries like India and China to lead the way in fostering a more inclusive and sustainable global economic environment.

This commentary from the Chinese envoy follows a high-profile event earlier that month, where President Trump had announced sweeping new tariffs in a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden. As the trade conflict continues to unfold, the Ambassador’s remarks underscore Beijing's efforts to rally support within the Global South and counterbalance U.S. influence on the world stage.

This article draws on insights from Ambassador Xu Feihong's op-ed published in The Indian Express.