(Image source from: x.com/ChineseEmbinUS)
With the escalating tensions between the United States and China—especially in light of the U.S. decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent—China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged collaboration between New Delhi and Beijing. He emphasized the importance of both nations jointly opposing hegemonic practices and power politics. During a statement made on Friday, following a gathering of the National People’s Congress, Mr. Wang remarked that it is essential for the “dragon and elephant to dance together” as this represents the only appropriate path forward. He added, “Mutual support, rather than undermining one another, and boosting cooperation rather than being defensive, fundamentally benefits the people and nations involved.”
In what appears to be a significant outreach to India, he suggested that if these two largest economies in Asia come together, there could be promising prospects for the democratization of international relations and the enhancement of the Global South, a term frequently referenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to describe less developed nations in Asia, Africa, and South America. There has been no official response from India regarding this appeal.
In an extensive reply concerning the changing dynamics of Beijing's relationship with New Delhi, Mr. Wang highlighted the “positive strides” made in the previous year, implicitly referencing the military disengagement in the Depsang and Demchok areas of Ladakh following considerable tensions that arose since June 2020.
After this period, a significant warming of relations was observed, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, in October of the previous year, and Mr. Wang engaging with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval during a Special Representatives meeting in Beijing in December. Addressing the border dispute, he emphasized the necessity of not allowing the boundary issue to dictate bilateral relations or to let specific disagreements cloud their overall relationship.
These comments emerge amid a contracting tariff conflict between the U.S. and China, reminiscent of the confrontations that occurred during Donald Trump’s first presidency. Recently, Mr. Trump signed a directive increasing tariffs on Chinese imports from 10 percent to 20 percent. According to the White House, this hike was in retaliation for China's insufficient action to control the export of fentanyl—a manufactured drug implicated in the opioid crisis in the United States.
In response, China reacted promptly and defiantly; within a day, the Chinese embassy in the U.S. warned, “If war is the objective of the U.S... whether through tariffs, trade, or other means, we are prepared to fight to the bitter end.” Additionally, China lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization, claiming the “unilateral tax” breaches WTO regulations and undermines the framework of economic and trade relations between the U.S. and China. Furthermore, they dismissed the fentanyl accusations as a “weak pretext for imposing tariffs.” Tariffs have emerged as a striking tool during this second Trump administration, with the current President using them—or the threat thereof—to compel other countries into compliance, such as pressuring Colombia to accept flights carrying deported undocumented immigrants.
Mr. Trump has implemented tariffs on India, which he has consistently referred to as a "high tariff nation" and a "big abuser." He has promised to impose similar tariffs on both India and China. While addressing the US Congress regarding the tariffs on India, Mr. Trump denounced the elevated taxes set by India and other countries, labeling them as "very unfair" and cautioning of reciprocal measures. Last month, he and Mr. Modi met in Washington, D.C., just hours ahead of this announcement. During Mr. Trump's administration, tariffs have also been placed on Canada and Mexico, primarily due to concerns related to illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The reaction from these neighboring countries, which are also the US's two largest trading partners, has been unmistakable. Justin Trudeau of Canada has charged Mr. Trump with attempting to undermine his nation's economy while simultaneously "appeasing" Russia in the context of the Ukraine conflict.
