China Counters Trump’s Trade Pressure With Global Diplomatic Push:

Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Chinese diplomats around the world have picked up the pace to counter the strategy imposed by the US under Donald Trump. As the US allocates a 90-day period for trade talks with other nations—excluding China—Beijing aims to politically cut-off Washington by getting other countries to not comply with US stipulations.

Beijing is attempting to cast itself as a protector of a fair, rules-based international economic order and the US as an aggressive, hostile and untrustworthy power. In the same breath, Chinese officials are stating that nations should come together with China to resist the bullying acts of the US.

China's Perception of the Global Order: America is a Bully

During the recent BRICS summit held in Brazil, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi seems to have called member countries to action against Donald Trump, saying silence or retreat would only make things worse. In the same spirit, a Chinese Foreign Ministry official came out with a video branding America as an “imperialist” and warning nations to not succumb to US pressure as it weakens global stability.

While in Washington, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, heavily criticized the US for alleged infringement on China's rights, further fueling the verbal conflict coming out of Beijing.

Newly Focused Global Outreach Strategy

China is implementing a new plan to enhance relations to diplomatically broaden its influence, which includes hosting a postponed Korean pop concert in southeastern city of Xi'an.

Li Qiang’s letters to Japan’s counterparts soliciting cooperation against US tariffs.

Polite discussions with India about unresolved border disputes.

Opinion pieces from Chinese ambassadors describing the so-called self-destructive policies of US imposed tariffs.

This campaign is underway even as China endures geopolitical skepticism stemming from its military posture on Taiwan and the South China Sea, as well as its support for Russia during the Ukraine war.

Difficulties for US Allies in the Wake of a Trade War

Most US allies such as the EU and Japan remain too cautious to align too closely with China regardless of their opposition to Trump’s tariffs. Suspicion about Chinese trade practices, diverted export market flooding, and military posturing persist.

India seems poised to advance towards a trade agreement with the US, with 19 areas of negotiation including agriculture. Elsewhere, the G7 bloc has called on China to restructure its internal economic systems to mitigate imposed external disruption.

Beijing on the Backfoot Looking for New Opportunities

Chinese officials at the lower-level were signaled to start traveling abroad and scouting for trade openings in regions such as Latin America. They have zeroed in on Argentina and other markets that have more stable policies than parts of Africa and stronger economic prospects than Southeast Asia.

Although China’s attempts might not fracture Washington’s coalition, as specialists argue, it could make it trickier for the US to harmonize plans concerning military operations or impose export restrictions on China.