China’s US envoy urges end to trade war, but warns beijing ready to fight

By Admin

22 Apr, 2025

In a critical moment for global economic relations, China’s ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has called for a halt to the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Speaking at a public event in Washington, the ambassador emphasized the importance of mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence, and shared prosperity—while also issuing a clear warning: China is fully prepared to retaliate if provoked.

Tariffs and Global Consequences

Xie drew a stark comparison between the current economic tensions and the Great Depression, highlighting how tariffs imposed by the U.S. in 1930 exacerbated a global financial crisis. He stressed that the continuation of heavy tariffs—some exceeding 100%—in both directions could devastate not only bilateral trade but the global economy as a whole.

A Call for Harmony, Not Confrontation

Referring to principles from traditional Chinese medicine, Xie likened the U.S.-China relationship to a well-balanced prescription. “A good traditional Chinese medicine recipe usually combines many different ingredients which reinforce one another and creates the best medical effect,” he said. This analogy reflected his deeper message that harmony and cooperation should guide international diplomacy, not conflict.

“The earth is big enough to accommodate both China and the U.S.,” he noted. “We should pursue peaceful coexistence rather than collide head-on, and help each other succeed rather than get caught in a lose-lose scenario.”

Escalating Tensions

Despite the envoy’s conciliatory tone, the backdrop of the conversation remains tense. The trade war has severely chilled the massive trade flows between the two nations, with a range of restrictions in place across trade, investment, and cultural exchange. On the same day Xie spoke, China’s top shipbuilding association condemned a U.S. plan to impose port fees on China-linked vessels—another sign of rising friction.

No High-Level Dialog—Yet

While countries like Japan and Taiwan are actively engaging in talks with Washington over President Trump’s "Liberation Day" tariffs, no such high-level dialog is currently scheduled between China and the U.S. Although Trump mentioned that the U.S. is “having good conversations privately” with China, Beijing has remained firm, stating that any talks must be preceded by respect from the U.S. side.

China Ready to Respond

Ambassador Xie was unequivocal in his stance: while China opposes the trade war and seeks resolution through diplomacy, it will not hesitate to retaliate if new tariffs are imposed. “China opposes the trade war,” he said, “but if pushed, we will defend ourselves and respond accordingly.”

Looking Forward

Xie Feng’s remarks underscore the delicate balance that defines U.S.-China relations today. His speech conveyed a hope for collaboration and peaceful engagement, but also served as a powerful reminder that China will not back down in the face of economic aggression. The world now watches closely, as the actions of these two giants will undoubtedly shape the future of global trade.