As trade disputes between the United States and China intensify—especially after Washington doubled tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%—China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged India and China to collaborate against global power politics.

Following a session at the National People’s Congress, Wang stated that fostering cooperation between the two nations was the best course of action. “The only right choice is for the dragon and the elephant to dance together,” he remarked, emphasizing that mutual support rather than rivalry aligns with their core interests.

Wang further asserted that if India and China worked together, they could reshape global governance and strengthen the Global South. India has yet to respond to these remarks.

While there has been no official reaction to Wang’s statements, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently mentioned that India was working with China towards a “more predictable and positive” bilateral relationship. This includes resuming pilgrimages to sites under Chinese jurisdiction, reinstating direct flights, and facilitating journalist exchanges.

Addressing questions on ties with India, Wang highlighted progress over the past year, referencing military disengagement in Ladakh’s Depsang and Demchok regions. He also recalled the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, in October last year. Stressing the importance of broader diplomatic engagement, he said, “We should not let the border dispute define our relationship or let specific disagreements overshadow overall cooperation.”

US-China Tariff Battle Escalates

Meanwhile, tensions between China and the US have intensified after President Donald Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%, citing Beijing’s failure to curb the export of fentanyl, a drug linked to America’s opioid crisis.

China responded swiftly, with its embassy in the US stating, “If war is what the US wants—be it tariffs, trade, or otherwise—we are prepared to fight till the end.” Beijing also imposed up to 15% in levies on American agricultural exports, including soybeans, pork, and wheat, set to take effect next week.

China has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the US of violating global trade regulations and undermining bilateral economic cooperation. Beijing also dismissed Washington’s fentanyl allegations as an excuse to justify higher tariffs.

Trump’s Tariffs and India’s Reaction

Tariffs have become a signature strategy of Trump’s administration, often used as leverage in trade negotiations. India, which Trump has repeatedly called a “high tariff nation” and “big abuser,” has also faced tariff hikes.

During a joint address to the US Congress, Trump criticized India’s high import duties, calling them “unfair” and vowing reciprocal measures. He announced new tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum imports—now set at 25%—on February 13, just hours before meeting Modi. The announcement triggered a sharp selloff in Indian markets, causing the Sensex to drop over 1,000 points.

Tariff Policy Under Trump’s Leadership

Trump has also imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau criticized the move, accusing Trump of penalizing allies while “appeasing” Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

While the US initially saw a boost in manufacturing jobs after Trump’s first round of tariffs (2017–2021), the steel and aluminum duties introduced in 2018 led to industrial decline. By 2019, the sector experienced job losses and reduced factory output—raising concerns over the long-term effectiveness of Trump’s tariff policies.