China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, portrayed his country as a pillar of peace and stability in an increasingly chaotic world, attributing much of that chaos to the Trump administration. He warned that if more nations followed the United States in prioritizing their own interests above all else, the world would regress to the law of the jungle.
As the Trump administration disrupts global trade relations and questions long-standing alliances, China has sought to polish its image both domestically and internationally while taking jabs at Western dominance. “We will provide certainty to this uncertain world,” Mr. Wang said during a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
However, Mr. Wang’s depiction of China’s role omitted the tensions the country itself has stirred. Chinese industrial policies have flooded global markets with goods, fueling trade imbalances. Meanwhile, China’s air force routinely pressures the self-governed island of Taiwan, and its navy has conducted live-fire drills near Australia and Vietnam.
China Blames the U.S. for Global Instability
On Friday, China placed the blame squarely on the United States, criticizing its withdrawal from international agreements such as the World Health Organization and the Paris climate accord.
The Trump administration has also unsettled its allies with actions like discussing the potential acquisition of Greenland and appearing to align with Russia in its war against Ukraine.
“Great powers should shoulder their international obligations and fulfill their role as great powers,” Mr. Wang stated. “They should not be profit-oriented, let alone bullying.”
China’s Own Aggressive Tactics in the Region
Despite his criticism of the U.S., Mr. Wang did not acknowledge China’s own assertive moves, which have contributed to regional tensions.
Chinese Coast Guard vessels, for instance, have enforced Beijing’s contested claims in the South China Sea by ramming and interfering with Philippine ships. (Mr. Wang framed China’s actions as defensive while suggesting the Philippines was acting at the behest of Western powers.)
His remarks, which painted China as a victim of American hostility, resonated with domestic audiences. He attributed China’s economic struggles in part to U.S. tariffs and technology restrictions.
China Seeks to Reassure Investors Amid Economic Challenges
At the same time, Mr. Wang sought to instill confidence in China’s economic future. In recent months, Beijing has made efforts to attract foreign investment, which has waned due to sluggish growth, China’s stringent response to the Covid pandemic, and tightened national security laws.
He expressed optimism about the economy’s resilience, citing China’s ability to recover from the 2008 global financial crisis. He characterized the current phase as one of “even more wonderful, high-quality development,” referring to Beijing’s strategy of focusing on advanced industries such as electric vehicles to drive economic growth.
China’s Top Diplomat, Wang Yi
Lingering Economic Troubles and Trade Tensions
Despite Mr. Wang’s reassurances, China faces significant economic hurdles, including high youth unemployment, rising government debt, and a real estate crisis that has eroded household wealth and dampened consumer spending.
Further deterioration in U.S.-China relations could exacerbate these challenges. The Trump administration has imposed cumulative tariffs of 20 percent on Chinese goods, citing Beijing’s failure to curb the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into the U.S.
Mr. Wang made it clear that Beijing would retaliate if additional tariffs were imposed.
“If you choose to cooperate, you will achieve mutual benefit and win-win results; if you blindly exert pressure, China will definitely, resolutely counter,” he declared.
He also pushed back against U.S. accusations regarding fentanyl, arguing that the U.S. should “look within” for solutions rather than blaming China and imposing economic penalties.
He further criticized the Trump administration for its inconsistent stance toward Beijing—alternating between conciliatory gestures toward President Xi Jinping and imposing trade restrictions.
“No country can fantasize that it can suppress and contain China while at the same time develop good relations with China,” Mr. Wang stated.
China’s Response to Tariffs and Uncertain Diplomatic Path
Earlier in the week, Chinese officials took an even firmer stance in response to U.S. tariffs. “If the U.S. has other intentions and insists on a tariff war, trade war or any other war, China will fight to the end,” said Lin Jian, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, on Tuesday.
However, with economic conditions worsening, Beijing is wary of letting the trade conflict spiral out of control. While pushing back against the U.S., China has also encouraged diplomatic engagement.
On Thursday, China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, revealed that he had reached out to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer last month to propose meetings.
Beijing remains uncertain about the Trump administration’s ultimate intentions, waiting to see if the tariffs are a bargaining tactic that could lead to negotiations.
Last month, Mr. Trump suggested to reporters that a trade agreement with China was “possible,” raising the prospect of revisiting an unfinished $200 billion trade deal he had negotiated with Mr. Xi during his first term.
