As trade tensions escalate between Washington and Beijing, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, warning they are harming America’s allies while failing to meaningfully pressure China. In a pointed Labor Day post, Medvedev argued that Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy was a “blunder” that risks isolating the United States without achieving its economic goals.

On May 1, Medvedev, now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, took to Telegram with a tongue-in-cheek message, suggesting Trump deserves an “exemplary labor” award for starting the current tariff battle. However, beneath the humor was a biting critique. Medvedev noted that America’s neighbors and European allies are “suffering” under the tariffs, forced into humiliating concessions symbolized by what he mockingly described as the ritual “kiss my ass.”

According to Medvedev, Trump’s effort to realign global trade terms has backfired badly, particularly in the case of China. While smaller US trade partners have buckled under pressure or rushed into negotiations to avoid further pain, China has demonstrated far greater resilience. With its enormous domestic market and significant financial resources, Beijing is well-positioned to weather even sustained economic attacks, Medvedev argued.

“China possesses enormous resources and a vast domestic market – factors that will enable its economy to withstand any amount of pressure,” he wrote. “This is where Trump made a blunder.”

Indeed, early indicators suggest that the US tariffs, initially pitched as a tool to bring China to heel, are instead dragging both........

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