From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has given reasons why the United States tariff policy is a step backward in history.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, Yu said the world live in the 21st century, an era far removed from the devastation of two World Wars.
He recalled that the year 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.
Yu also said as Chinese President Xi Jinping rightly pointed out, inquiring about what defined the world in contemporary time, the answer was 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“Yet, the U.S. clings to an outdated mindset of “might makes right” and “America First.”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,” Yu said.
Yu further said that using tariffs as a weapon for maximum pressure and self-interest was a typical manifestation of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.
The Chinese envoy also said the approach is neither “reciprocal” nor “fair,” saying it is essentially about pursuing “America First” and “American exceptionalism.”
On why the United States tariff policy going to end up as “shoot in its own feet,” Yu said the United States aimed 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,” Yu also said.
He recalled that the International Monetary Fund “IMF” warned that United States tariffs could slash global growth by 1.5 percent in 2025.
The envoy also recalled that the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, added that trade volumes may shrink by one percent with developing nations hit the hardest.
“The U.S. tariff policies are particularly devastating for African nations. Using the absurd logic that “trade surpluses equate to cheating,” the U.S. has launched indiscriminate attacks on African countries, violating WTO principles of special treatment for developing nations. This has already caused “collateral damage” such as currency devaluation and stock market volatility in Africa. The growth momentum of major African economies will inevitably be affected, with some structurally vulnerable economies possibly suffering severe blows, undermining Africa’s industrialization and poverty reduction efforts,” he stated.
Speaking on why the world must reject the United States tariffs, Yu said no country can stay immune in the face of bullying and coercion, adding that 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,” Yu further said.