The new U.S. administration has continued the misguided policies of its predecessor by unilaterally imposing unjustified levies on goods from China and other countries. Such actions not only distort the facts and confound black with white, but also exemplify unilateral bullying. As a responsible major country, China has consistently defended the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. It strongly opposes all forms of protectionism and bullying tactics.
The acts of the U.S. significantly depart from the established international rules and principles of multilateralism. By unilaterally imposing tariffs, the U.S. flagrantly challenges the global economic and trade norms, flouts market principles and the spirit of free trade, and runs counter to the trend of globalisation. For years, the U.S. has abused “long-arm jurisdiction” and unilateral sanctions under the pretext of “national security”, politicising, instrumentalising, and weaponising economic and trade issues. Such practices not only violate the WTO principle of non-discrimination but also undermine the rights of developing countries to achieve development through fair trade.
China has always been a staunch defender of international rules and advocates resolving differences through dialogue and consultation rather than zero-sum confrontation. Multilateralism is the only path to addressing global challenges, and no country should put itself above international rules.
The actions taken by the U.S. gravely jeopardise the stability and development of global industrial and supply chains. Safeguarding the resilience and stability of global industrial and supply chains is vital for global economic growth and serves the shared interests of all nations. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the United States should fulfil its responsibility as a major country to uphold peace, foster development and promote cooperation. Regrettably, some U.S. policymakers cling to a hegemonic logic of acting from a “position of strength”, obstruct technological exchanges by building “a small yard with high fences”, smear China’s industrial upgrading with baseless claims of “overcapacity”, and forcibly pursue a policy of “decoupling and severing supply chains”. Such deeds by the U.S. have raised serious concerns and strong opposition from the international community, standing in stark contrast to its professed commitment to “free competition”.
China has consistently embraced international cooperation with openness, advocated for the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and pursued a policy of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness towards its neighbours, contributing to the stability of global industrial and supply chains. This approach stands in sharp contrast to the actions of the new U.S. administration, which disrupts the international order.
Such two-faced acts are not good for the stability of bilateral relations, or for building mutual trust. While publicly claiming to seek improved ties and pragmatic cooperation with China, the U.S. simultaneously imposes unilateral sanctions, severely damaging mutual trust and destabilising the global economy.
China firmly believes that the nature of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. There is no such scenario of one side always losing and the other always benefiting. The facts and data fully demonstrate that using tariffs to “build walls” can neither alter market laws nor hinder the pace of cooperation. In 2024, China-U.S. trade reached 688.2 billion USD, up by 18 per cent compared to 2017. A report from the American Chamber of Commerce in China shows that more than half of U.S. companies expect to increase their investment in China in 2025. Cooperation is the only correct option for China-U.S. relations. Should the U.S. persist on its erroneous path, China is always ready to make a due response.
The world today faces turmoil and a fragile economic recovery. Thus the developing countries need urgently solidarity and collaboration. China and Bangladesh are both beneficiaries and contributors to globalisation, with a broad consensus on cooperation. Last year, under the guidance of the leadership of both countries and with the strong support of their peoples, China-Bangladesh economic and trade ties demonstrated remarkable resilience and vitality despite complex challenges, injecting greater certainty into the stability and prosperity in South Asia and the whole world.
China and Bangladesh could serve as exemplary advocates for win-win cooperation and free trade. In recent years, the bilateral trade between China and Bangladesh has expanded continuously, with China being Bangladesh’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. According to Chinese statistics, in 2024, the trade volume between the two countries increased by 60 million USD compared to the previous year. In addition, Bangladesh will export fresh mango to China since May this year, which will be a strong boost to the Bangladesh fruit industry, and trade between the two countries will be more balanced. China will work with Bangladesh to uphold the multilateral trading system, oppose unilateralism, accelerate the process of China-Bangladesh Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and promote practical outcomes in bilateral trade cooperation. I am aware that many Bangladeshi enterprises wish to export products such as hilsa fish to China, and we could facilitate their wishes within the framework of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement. China welcomes high-quality products from Bangladesh. China’s doors will only open wider and wider.
China and Bangladesh could take the lead in encouraging investment and accelerating cooperation in industrial and supply chains. China’s advantages in areas such as infrastructure, information technologies, communications, textiles, garments and green economy align closely with Bangladesh’s development strategy, industrial structure and the needs of its people, making China an irreplaceable partner compared to other countries. Chinese enterprises are optimistic about Bangladesh’s development prospects and are eager to deepen their engagement here. According to Chinese statistics, by 2024, the accumulated foreign direct investment (FDI) from China to Bangladesh reached 4.4 billion USD, making China the second-largest source of FDI in the country. Since the establishment of the interim government of Bangladesh in August last year, at least 14 Chinese companies have invested over 230 million USD in Bangladesh, covering manufacturing sectors such as textiles and garments, baggage, footwear, wigs and so forth. China has been the largest investor in Bangladesh during this period. In April this year, Bangladesh will host the 2025 Investment Summit. We will encourage more Chinese companies to actively participate in it, supporting more business partnerships. China also stands ready to work with Bangladesh to optimise the China-Bangladesh Investment Treaty, ensuring that enterprises of both countries have a solid platform to explore business opportunities and seek common development.
China and Bangladesh could work together to set a fine example for project cooperation based on political mutual trust and mutual benefit. Political mutual trust is the cornerstone for the successful implementation of all projects. Since the establishment of Bangladesh’s interim government, it has emphasised on many occasions that its commitment to keeping the projects in cooperation with China, both being ongoing and under construction moving forward will remain unchanged, and the agreements already signed will continue to be effective. This clearly reflects the profound political mutual trust between the two countries, as well as the broad social and public support for our long-standing friendship. The inter-governmental cooperation projects between China and Bangladesh are proceeding smoothly, and accelerating free from disruption. The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project and the Installation of Single Point Mooring with Double Pipe Line Project have been completed. The China-Aid Project for the Burn Unit at Chittagong Medical College Hospital and the WTE Power Plant Project in Dhaka North city have also been successfully commenced. The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone Project is set to kick off. Looking ahead, China is committed to supporting Bangladesh’s development through concrete actions, bringing even more landmark projects and “small and beautiful” livelihood projects to Bangladesh. China will remain Bangladesh’s most trustworthy and reliable partner.
History has demonstrated repeatedly that building walls will only make one isolated, while openness fosters shared prosperity. Celebrating the year that marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bangladesh, China is committed to working with Bangladesh and will continue to uphold mutual respect and mutual support, treat each other as equals, and carry out win-win cooperation. We will also continue to enhance coordination and cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the WTO, promote integrated development of the two countries’ industrial and supply chains and further deepen and solidify China-Bangladesh economic and trade relations, bringing more tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
(The writer is the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh)
