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By Sunday Ani
The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Yan Yuqing, has called for trade cooperation among nations, saying that trade war benefits no nation.
Yuqing in a statement yesterday in Lagos, said the United States had frequently reversed the course of globalisation under the pretexts of trade imbalance and national security, imposing tariffs on multiple countries.
She added that most recently, the United States has once again wilfully imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, ncluding China, nder various pretexts, adding, “These actions everely infringe pon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violates he World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) rules, severely undermines he rules-based multilateral trading system and severely disrupts the global economic order. The Chinese government strongly condemns and resolutely opposes such moves.”
The Consul General explained that unilateral tariff hikes undermine the multilateral trading system, noting that shifting blame cannot solve domestic problems.
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She added: “By taking such actions, the United States efies the fundamental laws of economics nd market principles, disregards he balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations, ignores he fact that the US has long benefited ubstantially rom international trade and eaponises ariffs to exert maximum pressure for selfish nterests.
“This s a typical ct of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. Under the guise of reciprocity and fairness, the United States s playing zero-sum game, pursuing in essence ‘America First’ and ‘American exceptionalism.’
“It attempts to exploit ariffs o subvert the existing international economic and trade order, put US interests above the common good of the international ommunity and advance US hegemonic ambitions at the cost of the legitimate interests of all countries. Such actions ill, inevitably, face widespread opposition from the international community.”
She stated further: “Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not the exclusive privilege of a few. International affairs should be addressed through consultation and the future of the world should be decided by all countries. ll countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit. They should practice true multilateralism, ointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism nd defend the UN-centred international system and the WTO-centred multilateral trading system.
“China and Africa are pillars in upholding the legitimate rights of developing countries and safeguarding multilateralism and international fairness and justice. China stands ready to work hand in hand with Africa under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), BRICS and other bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. Together, we will actively participate in the reform and development of the global economic governance system, firmly oppose unilateralism and economic bullying and jointly defend the multilateral trading system. We are committed to upholding a fair and free trade environment, expanding the shared interests of the global South and injecting greater certainty and positive momentum into global economic stability and growth. China and Africa will continue to advance economic globalisation toward a direction that is more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all.”
