China's Xi Jinping says no winners in Trump's tariff war

China's leader Xi Jinping's visit to these countries is an attempt to boost trade alliances in light of Donald Trump's tariffs.

Published on: Apr 14, 2025, 20:28:05 IST

By HT News Desk

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China's President Xi Jinping said on Monday that there were no winners in a tariff war, while presenting his country as a more “responsible” option than the US to Southeast Asian allies, reported Associated Press.

Chinese President Xi Jin Ping met Vietnam's prime minister during his tour of Southeast Asia. (AP)

Also Read: Beijing moves to soothe India over $100 billion trade deficit

Kicking off his diplomatic tour in Vietnam, Xi Jinping said in an editorial, “There are no winners in a trade war, or a tariff war. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment.”

His visit to Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, in the light of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, are an attempt to present China as the “responsible” option compared to the US for allies, according to Nguyen Khac Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.

Also Read: China urges US to ‘completely cancel’ Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs

“The trip to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia is all about how China can really insulate itself against the from Trump,” said Nguyen Khac Giang, as quoted by Associated Press.

China shores up alliance with Vietnam

In Hanoi, China's leader Xi Jinping met with Vietnam’s Communist Party general secretary To Lam, and said, “In the face of turmoil and disruption in the current global context, China and Vietnam’s commitment to peaceful development, and deepening of friendship and cooperation and has brought the world valuable stability and certainty."

Also Read: 'China stopped being low labour cost country': Tim Cook explains in resurfaced video amid US-China trade tussle

China and Vietnam are likely to speed up a $8 billion railway project connecting the two countries, according to Nhan Dan, the communist party mouthpiece in the country.

China is Vietnam's biggest trading partner and China-Vietnam trade surged 14.6 per cent in 2024, according to Chinese state media.

While the United States has also enjoyed civil diplomatic relations with Vietnam, the country was hit with 46 per cent tariffs when Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause. China has also borne the brunt of US tariffs, after being levied with 145 per cent total duties.

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HT News Desk
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