Ashraf AboArafe
The Chinese President Xi Jinping said today there is no winner in a tariff war, and that international opposition will only lead to self-isolation, during his meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday.
Xi added that over the past 70 years and more, China has achieved development through self-reliance and hard work, without relying on the benevolence of others, let alone fearing any unjustified oppression.
According to Xinhua, he explained that no matter how the outside world changes, China will remain confident and focused on managing its own affairs well.
Noting that both China and the European Union are major economies in the world and strong advocates of economic globalization and free trade, Xi said the two sides have forged a close relationship of economic synergy, with their combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world’s total.
He called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly resist unilateral bullying.
Xi said this not only protects the legitimate rights and interests of China and the EU, but also contributes to maintaining the integrity and justice of the international community and upholding international rules and order.
Sánchez emphasized that China is an important partner of the EU, and that Spain has always supported the stable development of EU-China relations.
Noting that the EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism, and opposes unilateral tariff increases, Sánchez emphasized that there is no winner in a trade war.
He emphasized that in the complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU stand ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the international trade order, address challenges including climate change and poverty, and protect the common interests of the international community.
