China plans to host UN event to denounce US tariffs and ‘bullying’

The informal meeting is part of Beijing’s drive to rally international support for its efforts to hit back at Donald Trump’s measures

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China has invited all UN members to the informal meeting. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 9:01pm, 17 Apr 2025Updated: 10:41pm, 17 Apr 2025

China will host an informal United Nations session next week to denounce US tariffs as it continues its fight back against Washington’s “bullying”.

The meeting, scheduled for next Wednesday, will see Beijing denounce the US for its aggressive use of tariffs with invitations extended to all 193 UN member states, according to Reuters.

China has been seeking international backing for its defence of multilateralism and efforts to counter US protectionism.

“By weaponising tariffs as a tool of extreme pressure, the US has gravely violated international trade rules, and triggered severe shocks and turbulence in the world economy and multilateral trading system,” the concept note for the informal Security Council meeting said.

On Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing would use various international platforms, including the UN, to discuss “the dangers of unilateralism and bullying”, adding that they “presented unprecedented difficulties and challenges to the United Nations and multilateralism”.

After imposing tariffs on much of the world early this month, Donald Trump then announced a 90-day pause for most of the targets – but continued to pile further levies on Beijing as part of an escalating tit-for-tat between the world’s two largest economies.

US officials have said around 70 countries are seeking negotiations, and the White House is planning to use this 90-day window to try to isolate China economically, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited people with knowledge of the conversations.