Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — In recent times, the United States, diverging from the global trend and hiding behind slogans of “reciprocity” and “fairness,” has been abusing tariff measures, thereby causing prolonged turbulence in global markets.

These actions grossly violate the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, including China and Uzbekistan, run counter to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilize the global economic order. The use of tariffs as a tool of pressure and unilateral advantage, coupled with the rhetoric of “America First,” is a clear example of protectionism, unilateralism, and economic coercion—a calculated attempt to intimidate the international community.

The U.S.-Promoted “Trade Loss Theory” Is Unfounded

From the standpoint of economic laws and factual analysis, the U.S. trade deficit is the result of market forces and is influenced by numerous factors, including industrial competitiveness, economic structure, the international division of labor, trade policies, and the dollar’s status as the world’s primary reserve currency.

However, the U.S. selectively ignores its overwhelming advantages and massive profits in the trade of services. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recently noted that in 2023, U.S. service exports exceeded USD 1 trillion, accounting for 13% of the global total; in 2024, the U.S. surplus in this sector reached nearly USD 300 billion. Thanks to economic globalization, American companies have been able to efficiently allocate resources, achieve high profits at relatively low costs, and maintain leading positions in global value chains.

Thus, rather than suffering losses from international trade, the United States actually reaps enormous benefits. As the largest developing and developed economies respectively, China and the U.S. generate wide-ranging positive effects through economic and trade cooperation, stimulating the production of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and services in other countries, increasing the efficiency of global value chains, and contributing tangibly to the growth of the world economy.

Abuse of Tariff Policy Harms the U.S. Itself and Undermines the Global Economy

The U.S. claims that “reciprocal tariffs” protect American companies and industries. Yet such assertions lack both factual and logical basis. On the one hand, the excessive use of tariffs increases inflationary pressure within the United States, reduces consumer demand, and ultimately forces American businesses and consumers to bear higher costs. On the other hand, elevated tariffs erode investor and business confidence, worsen supply chain disruptions, and heighten the risks of deindustrialization.

As a result, companies are compelled to scale back investments and cut jobs, leading to rising unemployment. The restructuring of global supply chains cannot be dictated by subjective will or realized in the short term.

The U.S.-led “tariff chaos” only exacerbates already fragile international trade, raises the risk of production and supply chain breakdowns, erodes the foundations of global cooperation, and puts the prospects for global economic growth in serious jeopardy. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that the increase in U.S. tariffs could shrink global merchandise trade volumes by around 1% in 2025.

China Is Not Afraid of Challenges and Remains Firmly Committed to Win-Win Cooperation for the Benefit of All

China has always believed that there are no winners in trade or tariff wars, and that protectionism has no future. Pressure and threats have never been—and never will be—a rational way to engage with China. Amid shifting dynamics and extreme pressure from the U.S., China has responded and will continue to respond with firm countermeasures to protect its sovereignty, security, and developmental interests.

China’s economy demonstrates strong vitality and resilience, serving as a “stabilizing anchor” and “engine” of global growth. China is the world’s second-largest economy and the second-largest consumer market. In 2024, China’s GDP surpassed 134 trillion yuan (USD 18.94 trillion), with a growth rate of 5%, contributing 30% to global economic growth. For 15 consecutive years, China has maintained its position as the world’s top manufacturing nation. Despite a complex and volatile global trade environment, China got off to a strong start in the first quarter of this year and continues to move in a positive direction. Revenue in the high-tech sector rose by 13.4% year-on-year, while income from the production of digital products and the application of digital technologies grew by 12% and 11.6%, respectively. New, high-quality productive forces are rapidly emerging.

China’s economic outlook is bright, and its steps are clear and stable. The country is well-positioned to withstand external challenges with confidence. China will remain focused on managing its own affairs while providing certainty amid external uncertainty. It is ready to steadily expand openness, pursue high-level liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, uphold multilateral trading mechanisms, foster a world-class business environment, share development opportunities with the world, and achieve mutually beneficial cooperation.

President Xi Jinping has stated that any country striving for modernization must embrace the principles of unity, cooperation, and shared development, and must follow a path of joint contribution, shared benefits, and win-win outcomes. Stronger nations must help others progress based on mutual trust and sincerity.

The truth remains that “blowing out another’s lamp won’t make yours shine brighter; hindering someone else’s progress won’t help you move forward.” Tariff “walls” cannot alter the laws of the market or halt the momentum of cooperation.

A multilateral approach is the only viable option for addressing global difficulties and challenges. Economic globalization is an irreversible historical trend and the right path for development.

Uzbekistan is an active supporter and participant in economic globalization and the multilateral trading system and is currently engaged in active negotiations to join the WTO.

China stands ready to work with Uzbekistan to implement the agreements reached by the two heads of state, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote prosperity for both countries for the good of their peoples, adhere to genuine multilateralism, support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, strive to build an open world economy, uphold international fairness and justice, and advance economic globalization in a more open, inclusive, fair, and balanced direction.