On April 21, 2025, an article titled “Protectionism Leads Nowhere and Multilateralism is the Inevitable Choice”by H.E. Lu Xu, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, was published in the Nation and Daily Times, introducing Chinese government’s position on opposing U.S. abuse of Tariffs. The following is the full text of the article:

The U.S. recently announced tariff hikes on all trading partners, covering over 180 countries and regions in the world. Notably, a staggering 145% tariff rate has been levied against China, compelling the latter to take necessary countermeasures.

Under the shadow of the tariff war, even least-developed countries like Malawi have not been spared, with their developmental rights severely compromised. I noted that many  Malawians have voiced concerns regarding this issue. For example, the CEO of Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) and the Chairman of the Malawi Economic Association stated, that U.S. tariff hikes would trigger commodity price surges, skyrocketing costs of raw materials and production equipment, thereby dealing a heavy blow to Malawi’s export earnings and trade balance. Farmers, manufacturers, exporters, and service providers, who heavily rely on the U.S. market, will suffer substantial losses, leading to massive job cuts in critical domains like agriculture and manufacturing. Moreover, the U.S. differential tariff policy will further exacerbate Malawi’s plight: while some African nations enjoy lower tariff rates for exports to America, Malawi faces competitiveness erosion in its export products to the U.S.. Even a 20% decline in Malawi’s exports to the U.S. would inflict significant damage to its foreign trade earnings and economic stability.

Analysis of WTO data shows that in light of the uneven economic development and strengths, the U.S. tariff hikes will further widen the wealth gap among countries and under-developed countries will suffer from a heavier blow. The U.S. imposed tariffs with differentiated rates, violating the WTO principle of non-discrimination, disrupting the international trade order and the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, undermining the multilateral trading system, hindering global economic recovery, will certainly be rejected by the international community.

Economic globalization represents an unstoppable historical trend and multilateralism is the inevitable way to address the difficulties and challenges faced by human being. Ignoring the global outcry for fairness and justice, setting up “small yards with high fences” and pursuing policies of decoupling are doomed to lose support. 

Trade and tariff wars have no winners. China does not want such a war but is not afraid of one. Its countermeasures against the bullying practices of the U.S. are taken not only to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, but also to uphold international rules and order, and to protect the common interests of all nations. In the face of hegemony and coercive tactics, compromise and concession offer no way out. When it comes to resolutely defending the lawful entitlements, China possesses not only the courage to say no, but also the determination to act on our words, and above all, the confidence to prevail in any confrontation. As the second largest economy, China has remained the key engine contributing around 30 percent to the global economic growth for years running. No matter how the international landscape evolves, China’s economy has a solid foundation and sufficient driving forces for steady growth against any odds.

Besides, China firmly upholds the rules-based multilateral trading regime, advances trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and makes the pie of common development bigger. China honors its commitment to high-standard opening-up, and is the first major developing country to announce ZERO-tariff treatment for 100% tariff lines to all the least developed countries that have diplomatic relations with China.

I believe that vast majority of countries in the world that uphold fairness and justice will choose to stand on the right side of history, making choices that are in line with their own interests, and jointly opposing all forms of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. China is also willing to work with all parties, including Malawi, to uphold true multilateralism, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and to defend international fairness and justice.