By Aidoghie Paulinus
1. Why is the U.S. tariff policy “a step backward in history”?
We live in the 21st century—an era far removed from the devastation of two World Wars. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
As President Xi Jinping pointed out, what defines our world today? The answer is clear: peace, development, cooperation, and shared prosperity.
Yet, the U.S. clings to an outdated mindset of “might makes right” and “America First.” It resorts to unilateral bullying, imposing tariffs indiscriminately while disregarding multilateral rules. It openly places its own interests above the common interests of international society, and flagrantly disregards the multilateral trading system and established rules. It promotes a law-of-the-jungle approach, which is clearly turning back the wheel of history.
The U.S. actions severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, blatantly violate WTO rules, seriously undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilize the global economic order. By doing so, the U.S. also defies basic economic principles and market rules, ignoring the fact that it has long profited immensely from international trade. Using tariffs as a weapon for maximum pressure and self-interest is a typical manifestation of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. This is neither “reciprocal” nor “fair”—it is essentially about pursuing “America First” and “American exceptionalism.”
2. Why is U.S. tariff policy going to end up “shoot in its own feet”?
The U.S. aims to force other countries to submit through maximum pressure and make America great again. But this strategy will backfire, harming its own interests as much as others’.
As many U.S. thinkers have noted, America’s problems are self-inflicted. The world now witnesses a nation divided against itself, one America opposing another. Rather than shifting blame, the U.S. should focus on fixing its own house. “Exporting domestic crises” and zero-sum tactics won’t solve its issues—they’ll only deepen its isolation.
By turning its back on the world and launching a full-scale tariff war, the U.S. will not achieve its goals. Instead, it will fuel inflation, weaken its industrial base, trigger financial market panic, and increase the risk of an economic recession. As commented by U.S. media, America is waging a war of self-destruction. A CBS survey released Sunday found nearly two-thirds of voters oppose the U.S. tariffs. Just this month, U.S. inflation surged to 7.2 percent, with egg and chicken prices rising by 34 percent and 28 percent year-on-year, respectively. Goldman Sachs has raised the probability of a U.S. recession in the next 12 months from 35 percent to 45 percent.
The IMF warns that U.S. tariffs could slash global growth by 1.5 percent in 2025. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala adds that trade volumes may shrink by one percent, with developing nations hit the hardest.
3. Why must the world reject U.S. tariffs?
No country can stay immune in the face of bullying and coercion. Appeasement will only invite further aggression. The international community must unite and fight back to defend our shared interests. Today, opposing U.S. tariff abuse and bullying means upholding multilateralism and fairness and justice.
China does not provoke trouble, neither are we intimidated by it. As the Chinese saying goes, “To friends, we offer fine wines; to wolves, the hunting rifles.” Pressure and threats are not the right way to deal with China. China has taken and will continue to take firm measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests. If a fight is forced upon us, China will fight to the end. If talks are sought, China’s door remains open—but only on the basis of equality and mutual respect.
Another Chinese saying goes, “A just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust one finds little.” In this imposed tariff war, China stands on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice. We have the confidence and resolve to defeat all threats and blackmail.
Domestically, we have the unwavering support of our people, a vast market of 1.4 billion consumers, and a comprehensive industrial chain. China’s economy grew by 5.4 percent in the first quarter. Over the past decades, China has contributed around 30 percent to global economic growth, serving as a vital engine for the world economy.
Globally, the world has long grown weary of America’s arrogance, bullying, and selfishness. Now, the U.S. has discarded even the pretense of decency, openly declaring a tariff war against the world, placing its interests above the common good of the international community, and advancing its hegemonic ambitions at the cost of the legitimate interests of other nations. This will inevitably face widespread opposition.
As the world’s second-largest economy and second-largest consumer market, no matter how the international landscape changes, China’s door will only open wider. We will continue to advance high-level opening-up, implement liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment. We will foster first-class market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized usiness environment. And we will share our evelopment opportunities ith the world to achieve mutual benefits.
4.Why is the U.S. abuse of tariffs a “crisis with opportunities” for China-Nigeria cooperation?
China-Africa and China-Nigeria relations are built on mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation.
African nations are committed to development and revitalization, which requires a free, open multilateral trading system and a stable, predictable global environment. History has shown that China is a reliable partner for Africa—trustworthy, mature, and steadfast. China’s development and commitment to high-level openness will bring much-needed stability to an increasingly uncertain world.
At last year’s FOCAC Beijing Summit, China pledged to unilaterally expand market access, granting zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of product categories for all least-developed countries with diplomatic ties to China, including 33 African nations. This demonstrates China’s concrete efforts to turn its vast market into tangible opportunities for Africa.