China Criticizes US Tariffs as 'Bullying'

Chinese officials on Friday sharply criticized the U.S.’ tariffs as “bullying” behavior.

"China has always been the most reliable stabilizing force in a turbulent world and the most reliable partner for ASEAN countries in addressing challenges," Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Southeast Asian foreign ministers, according to media.

Additionally, a foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing said China would not give in to the U.S. "bullying,” according to Newsweek.

"Our countermeasures against the U.S. bullying are not only to protect our legitimate rights and interests but also to uphold international rules and order, safeguard the common interest of all countries and maintain international fairness and justice," spokesperson Lin Jian said during a briefing.

The report comes as United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that he had “positive and constructive” talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as the two major powers vied to push their agendas in Asia at a time of tension over Washington’s tariff offensive.

Rubio’s visit is part of an effort to renew the US focus on the Indo-Pacific region and look beyond conflicts in the Middle East and Europe that have consumed much of the administration’s attention since Trump’s return to office in January.

But that has been overshadowed by this week’s announcement of steep US tariffs on imports from many Asian countries and US allies, including 25 per cent targeting Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, 32pc for Indonesia, 36pc for Thailand and Cambodia and 40pc on goods from Myanmar and Laos.

Information from Reuters was used in this report.

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