TEHRAN – China’s Tehran ambassador, Kong Peiu, has unveiled Beijing’s plans for the trade war in Beijing.
Kong looked calm and was collected as he told reporters that his country wasn’t just playing a game of chickens. “We’re not just opposed to the substance of bullying. That’s the way China has.”
The envoy said Washington violates the rights and interests of other countries, violates international trade rules, harms the global trading system, and has a negative impact on the economic stability of the world.
“While China-US trade and economic relations should be based on mutual interest and favorable outcomes for both parties, using tariffs as a weapon will undermine China’s economic development and the rights of its people,” Kong said. The diplomats also argued that China’s development depends on its own efforts and cannot be restrained. “We are confident and focused on our own initiative.”
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on 90 countries, including the EU and China. He argued that the US was being used by foreigners by “con artists” and “looting,” which would lead to Americans buying more domestic goods, and ultimately lead to greater investment in manufacturing.
He later declared a three-month suspension on these tariffs, but China was removed from the suspension, and its fees were eventually raised to 145%. In response, China’s measures remain measured, inverse, imposing a 125% tariff on American goods.
When he first took office, Trump said he wanted to lower the temperature of various issues splitting the US and China, but his tariff policy has not strained unprecedented bilateral relations. The president’s domestic supporters say they are willing to withstand periods of price increases they have never seen before when American production means they can get a fresh life.
“To stand up against bullying against us will not only protect China’s legitimate interests, but also the interests of the international community,” Kong told reporters.
China supports dialogue, but Iran needs to be careful
Kong spoke up as he answered questions about indirect Iranian consultations held in the Oman capital on Saturday. Consultations centered on Iran’s nuclear program, similar to those carried out by the original International Agreement (JCPOA) in 2018, aim to bring about the removal of anti-Iran sanctions in exchange for restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear activity.
“We believe that dialogue is always constructive. In our view, Iran and the United States should pursue diplomatic and political solutions to their differences. However, given Washington’s history of injustice and credibility, a careful approach remains essential.”
Regarding the European threat of energizing “snapback,” a mechanism to regain pre-JCPOA sanctions against Iran, the diplomats said ensuring the UN Security Council is involved in the Saga would have only negative consequences. “This is certainly a move that erodes the remaining trust between the parties,” he said, “during the trilateral meetings held in Beijing last month between Iran, China and Russia, we introduced initiatives that we believe would help us find the right political and diplomatic solutions.”
Kong said the new agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme should be based on the two-year JCPOA.