Beijing: China will lead an informal United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on April 23, 2025, to challenge the United States’ recent tariffs, which it calls unilateral bullying threatening global trade.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing today, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also highlighted a recent Moscow meeting of the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, condemning tariff weaponisation and rejecting UK allegations about Chinese drones, framing Western actions as undermining multilateralism and Global South development.
The UNSC meeting follows U.S. tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods, effective April 9, 2025, prompting China’s retaliatory 125% tariffs on U.S. products. Lin Jian criticised the U.S. for “disregarding the balance of interests” in multilateral trade and abusing tariffs under the guise of “reciprocity and fairness.” He argued these measures deal “a heavy blow” to the global economic order and World Trade Organization (WTO)-centred trading system, harming nations’ well-being and posing “unprecedented difficulties” to the UN’s multilateral mission.
The informal UNSC meeting, open to all 193 UN member states as an “informal interactive dialogue” noted in a concept note prepared by China for the meeting, aims to expose unilateralism’s harms, reaffirm UN Charter principles, strengthen the UN’s role, and protect countries’ development rights. A concept note accuses the U.S. of “weaponising tariffs,” violating WTO rules and causing global economic turbulence.
On April 14–15, 2025, the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter held its Third Meeting of National Coordinators in Moscow, attended by high-level representatives from China, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Belarus, Iran, Zimbabwe, and partner countries. The meeting’s political declaration expressed “serious concerns” over disruptions to the WTO system, stating that tariff abuse severely impacts Global South sovereignty and development rights. It opposed the “weaponisation of trade tools” like tariffs, called for an end to “unilateral measures and bullying acts” aimed at controlling nations, and labelled such actions as violations of the UN Charter. The declaration urged Global South unity to oppose “unjust external pressure,” promote a “fairer” international order, and safeguard peace and development rights. Lin Jian said the meeting sent a “clear message” against hegemonism, reflecting the Global South’s resolve. He urged the U.S. to “heed the call for justice” and abandon unilateralism.
Addressing UK concerns about British companies using Chinese-made drones to photograph critical infrastructure, Lin Jian rejected the allegations as “groundless suspicion and vilification” lacking evidence. He stated that China “has never asked and will never ask” companies to collect or store data illegally, urging the UK to stop politicising trade, targeting Chinese tech firms, and focus on “sound and steady” China-UK relations.
The U.S.-China trade war, with tariffs increasing costs, has raised global economic concerns, with the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) projecting a growth slowdown to 2.3%. China’s diplomatic efforts—via the planned UN meeting and Moscow declaration—aim to rally Global South support against Western policies. X posts from Chinese officials emphasise the Group’s stance against “unilateral coercive tactics.” The U.S. mission to the UN referred inquiries to the State Department, which has not responded. The UK’s drone concerns echo Western scrutiny of Chinese technology, similar to issues with firms like Shenzhen-based DJI.
– global bihari bureau
