The United States has unilaterally imposed excessive tariffs on nearly all its trading partners, including China, under contrived pretexts. This arbitrary policy has gravely infringed upon the legitimate rights of nations, flagrantly violated World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, eroded the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilized the global economy.

The Chinese government categorically condemns and opposes these actions, which epitomize economic bullying and trade protectionism. By weaponizing tariffs under populist slogans like “Make America Great Again” and “America First”, the US seeks to mask its systemic failures such as corruption, partisan gridlock, social polarization and bad governance, through coercion that harm both its citizens and the international community.

The US today has twisted tariffs into a geopolitical bludgeon, to coerce allies and adversaries alike. The US’ boastful rhetoric betrays a disdain for sovereign equality and democratic norms.

Such approach risks plunging the world into a Hobbesian era where brute force replaces rules-based diplomacy. As Chairman Mao astutely observed, “America is a........

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