China’s Xi Says Tariff Wars Undermine Global Economic Order, ‘Legitimate Rights’ of All Countries

Addis Ababa, April 23, 2025 (ENA)—Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that tariff and trade wars undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, hurt the multilateral trading system and impact the world economic order.

This statement comes following tensions between China and the United States.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, it was learned. And retaliated with duties on American goods.

According to the official Xinhua news agency, President Xi made the comments during a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in Beijing, where he said that China is willing to work with Azerbaijan to safeguard the international system and carry out "in depth" law enforcement and security cooperation with the Azerbaijan side.

"China is ready to work with the Azerbaijan side to uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core...and safeguard international fairness and justice," Xinhua said.

The two leaders announced "the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Azerbaijan".

It included the signing of 20 cooperation documents as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in areas including legal, green development, digital economy, intellectual property rights, and aerospace.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed a 145 percent tariff on most Chinese goods, with China slapping a 125 percent duty on US exports in response.

The trade war has raised fears of a global economic slowdown, with the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday revising its 2025 growth estimate from 3.3 percent to 2.8 percent.

Global stocks surged on Wednesday after comments by Trump and top administration officials raised hopes of a trade deal between Washington and Beijing.