In a direct rebuke to President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war, China’s Foreign Ministry released a dramatic video calling on the international community to stand up to what it described as America’s “bully” leader.
The video has garnered attention worldwide as it challenges U.S. economic policies and promotes China as a steadfast advocate for free trade.
China’s Strong Message to the World
The video, narrated in English with Chinese subtitles, begins with a powerful statement:
“Bowing to a bully is like drinking poison to quench thirst – it only deepens the crisis,” China said, in a clear critique of Trump’s approach to global trade. The video argues that compromise with the U.S. does not bring mercy, but instead invites further bullying.
It also includes a historical perspective, where China highlights past instances of what it calls American economic aggression, citing companies like Toshiba and Alstom being forced into breakups and bankruptcy, and Japan’s economy suffering from “decades of anemic growth.”
China’s Vision of Free Trade
Contrasting the U.S. approach, China positions itself as a champion of free trade, inviting other countries to partner with it for mutual benefit. The video ends with a call for global solidarity against what it describes as American hegemony:
“China will stand firm, no matter how hard the wind blows. Someone has to step forward, torch in hand to shatter the fog and illuminate the path ahead,” the video declares.
The sweeping and dramatic rhetoric not only serves as a warning to the Trump administration, but also urges other nations to join in defying the U.S. on the world stage.
U.S. Tariffs and Trade Tensions
While the video didn’t directly mention the 145% tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports, or the 125% retaliatory tariffs China has placed on American goods, the release of the video marks a clear stance from China in response to ongoing trade negotiations.
Recently, President Trump suggested that he expected the tariffs on Chinese goods to come down, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the current tariff rates “unsustainable.” Despite these comments, China has consistently denied that any active trade negotiations are taking place between the two nations.
China’s Call to Other Countries
In the video, China urges other nations to remain strong and stand firm, refusing to choose sides between the U.S. and China. It emphasizes the importance of cooperation and unity in the face of American economic policies:
“We know standing up for ourselves keeps the possibility of cooperation alive,” China says in the video. “China won’t back down so the voices of the weak will be heard, bullying will be stopped and justice will not disappear from the world.”
The U.S. as a ‘Paper Tiger’
China goes even further in the video, calling the U.S. a “paper tiger” and claiming that America’s share of global trade is less than a fifth. It also states that the U.S. does not represent the entire world, and when the world unites in solidarity, the U.S. is “just a small, stranded boat.”
The video concludes with a warning that America will continue to flip-flop on trade issues and play hardball, indicating that China is prepared for a long-standing economic standoff.