CCTV: The U.S. recently announced tariff hikes on all trading partners, covering over 180 countries and regions in the world, including some vulnerable economies designated as the least developed countries by the UN. Comments say that the high tariffs will deal an unprecedented heavy blow to poor countries that have simple economic structure and are highly reliant on export. Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric warned that the trade war will adversely affect implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, and the concern right now is with the most vulnerable countries, which are the least equipped to deal with the current situation. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala noted that the U.S. tariffs could lead to an overall contraction of around 1 percent in global merchandise trade volumes this year and will have substantial implications for global trade and economic growth prospects. What is your comment?

Lin Jian: The U.S. hegemonic move in the name of “reciprocity” serves its selfish interests at the expense of other countries’ legitimate interests and puts “America first” over international rules. This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. China has issued the Chinese Government’s Position on Opposing U.S. Abuse of Tariffs to express our serious and just attitude.

The U.S. abuse of tariffs deprives countries, especially Global South countries, of their right to development. Analysis of WTO data shows that in light of the uneven economic development and strengths, the U.S. tariff hikes will further widen the wealth gap among countries and less developed countries will feel a heavier blow. This gravely hurts the effort for realizing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The U.S. tariffs with differentiated rates violate the WTO principle of non-discrimination, severely disrupt the international trade order and the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains, severely undermine the multilateral trading system, severely hinder global economic recovery, and will certainly be rejected by the international community.

Open cooperation represents the trend of history and mutual benefit is what the people want. Development is a universal right of all countries, not an exclusive privilege of a few. Countries need to uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefit, remain committed to true multilateralism, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism of all forms, safeguard the international order with the UN at its core, and uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its center.

CNBC: We noticed that the latest statement from China on the U.S. tariffs did not mention much about negotiations and we were wondering under what conditions would China be able to negotiate with the U.S. and will Chinese and U.S. presidents speak soon to do so or has it become more challenging?

Lin Jian: On negotiations, I’d refer you to competent authorities. We have stressed more than once that pressuring or threatening China is not a right way to engage with us. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

Anadolu Agency: I want to follow up with question about U.S. tariffs. Experts noticed that the formula that was used by the Trump administration to calculate the tariff rates was simply dividing U.S. trade deficit to that country by a country’s exports to the U.S. So it wasn’t related with the real tariff rates at all. China isn’t actually deploying 67 percent tariffs to the U.S. They call it effective tariff rates, claiming currency manipulation and other trade barriers are also added up in the calculation, while in fact not. What do you think about this method of calculation? So U.S. tariff policy, this new policy of the Trump administration, seems like an action against the logic of international trade for the past 40 years and a trend of economic globalization. So do you think this is a declaration of a new global economic order by the U.S.? Does China plan any new action or cooperation that will minimize or nullify the effects of these tariff hikes by U.S.?

Lin Jian: I think what you said represents the right view and position of the international community and people with vision. The Chinese government has stated its just position on the U.S. abuse of tariffs. The U.S.’s tariff hikes on all trading partners, including China, under various pretexts seriously infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of countries, violate WTO rules, undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and destabilize the global economic order. The Chinese government strongly deplores and firmly rejects this. What the U.S. has done is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. It will hurt the U.S. itself as well as others.

The vast majority of countries in the world that uphold fairness and justice will choose to stand on the right side of history, make choices that are in line with their own interests, and jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. China is also willing to work with all parties to uphold true multilateralism, jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, and defend international fairness and justice.

Bloomberg: President Donald Trump has said that China’s objections to the new tariffs stalled the deal to sell up TikTok and keep it operating in the U.S. Did China’s objections prevent a deal from being concluded recently and would the Ministry like to comment any further on the TikTok issue?

Lin Jian: We have stated our principled position on TikTok on multiple occasions. China will handle relevant issue in accordance with China’s laws and regulations.

The U.S. needs to provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses in the country.