U.S. tariffs on China: President Xi pledges to strengthen ties with neighbours

Xi Jinping strengthens strategic relationships with neighbours amid escalating U.S. tariff war, emphasizing shared future and supply chain ties.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (April 9, 2025) pledged to strengthen the strategic relationships with neighbouring countries by “appropriately” managing differences and enhancing supply chain ties as China’s tariff war with the U.S. escalated.

In his first public speech after U.S. President Donald Trump’s steep global hike of tariffs, especially targeting China with 104% on Chinese exports to America, Mr. Xi called for building a community with a shared future with neighbouring countries and striving to open new ground for China’s neighbourhood work, state media reported.

Also read: Trump’s global tariffs live updates

Mr. Xi made the remarks at a central conference on work related to neighbouring countries, which was held in Beijing from Tuesday (April 8, 2025) to Wednesday (April 9, 2025).

Mr. Trump’s additional 50% tariff, taking the overall levies against the Chinese exports to the U.S. to 104%, kicked in on Wednesday (April 9, 2025).

China vowed to fight to the end if Mr. Trump pursued the tariff measures.

As its relations with the U.S. became increasingly strained, China recently wound down border tensions with India and sought to improve its relations with other neighbours like Japan and South Korea, bracing for tough times under Mr. Trump’s presidency on trade and strategic fronts.