New Delhi: China has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump’s latest tariff measures, with its envoy to India accusing Washington of using trade duties as a tool of intimidation. The remarks come after the US imposed steep 50% tariffs on Indian goods, citing the country’s imports of Russian oil — while sparing China and other major buyers.
In a post on X, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said, “Give the bully an inch, and he will take a mile.” He accused the US of weaponising tariffs to “suppress other countries,” warning that such actions violate the UN Charter, undermine World Trade Organization rules, and are “both unpopular and unsustainable.”
Echoing the criticism, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters on Thursday that Beijing’s opposition to the “abuse of tariffs” is “consistent and clear.”
Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CERA) for June 2025 shows that China purchased 47% of Russia’s crude oil exports, followed by India at 38%, with the European Union and Türkiye each accounting for 6%. Despite China and Türkiye’s significant imports from Russia, neither has faced additional US tariffs linked to Russian oil or oil products.
On Wednesday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed its disapproval of the US move, noting that the country’s Russian oil imports are driven by market factors and the need to safeguard the energy security of its 1.4 billion citizens.
“It is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest,” the MEA said in a statement. “We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests.”
The criticism from both Beijing and New Delhi adds to the diplomatic pushback against Trump’s tariff strategy, which many countries view as discriminatory and politically motivated.
