Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong called for a united front between New Delhi and Beijing to counter the Trump administration’s “unfair and unreasonable” 50% tariffs on Indian goods, labeling them a weapon in a US-initiated trade war. Speaking at an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of China’s victory against Japan, Xu emphasized the need for deeper economic cooperation between the two emerging giants to navigate global trade challenges and promote mutual growth.

Xu criticized the US for exploiting tariffs to extract “exorbitant” costs from countries, arguing that international trade should foster mutual benefits, not conflict. “The US has long benefited from free trade, but now it uses tariffs as a tool,” he said, urging India and China to jointly explore strategies to counter this “threat.” With a combined population of 2.8 billion and complementary mega-economies, Xu highlighted the potential for collaboration, recalling Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at the SCO summit on August 31.

Xi stressed that India and China, as major emerging economies, should focus on development and mutual success, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned their cooperation shaping an “Asian century.”

The envoy also addressed shared challenges, noting that both nations are “victims of terrorism” and should strengthen counter-terrorism efforts through multilateral platforms like the SCO, BRICS, and the Tianjin Declaration. “China stands ready to work with India to combat terrorism and safeguard global peace,” Xu said, emphasizing the Global Security Initiative.

Also Read: Direct Flights, Trade and Peace Reshape India-China Relations

On bilateral ties, Xu dismissed third-party influences—likely referring to Pakistan—stating that India-China relations remain unaffected. He highlighted progress on boundary issues, with both sides reaching an “important consensus.” To bolster economic ties, Xu invited Indian companies to invest in China and urged India to provide a fair business environment for Chinese enterprises. He noted that over 240,000 visas have been issued to Indian citizens this year, signaling robust people-to-people ties.

As global economic tensions rise, Xu’s call for unity underscores the strategic importance of India-China collaboration, with both nations poised to leverage their economic might and shared interests to challenge US trade policies.

Also Read: India-China Ties Surge Toward Cooperation