China Condemns U.S. Tariff Policy at WTO Meeting

China has strongly criticized the tariffs imposed or threatened by U.S. President Donald Trump, during the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on February 18. Beijing warned that these 'tariff shocks' could destabilize the global trading system and lead to a worldwide economic crisis, reports NewsBox.

Trump announced the imposition of a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, prompting a response from Beijing. The Chinese authorities not only imposed retaliatory tariffs but also filed a lawsuit against the U.S. at the WTO, marking a significant challenge to Trump's trade policies within the organization.

'These 'tariff shocks' increase economic uncertainties, disrupt global trade flows, and pose a threat of domestic inflation, market distortions, and even a global recession. Worse, the unilateral actions of the U.S. threaten to dismantle the rules-based multilateral trading system,' stated China's ambassador to the WTO, Li Chenggang, at a closed meeting of the organization, according to a statement given to Reuters.

The response of other countries, including the U.S., remains uncertain as Washington has yet to appoint a permanent trade representative in Geneva. Meanwhile, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged the organization’s 166 member countries to refrain from retaliatory measures to avoid 'catastrophic' consequences of a potential trade war.

Despite high expectations for the meeting, trade experts believe that immediate solutions to resolve the conflict are unlikely. However, the reaction of member countries could clarify the prospects of further escalation in response to the Trump administration's initiatives.