Xie Feng, China’s new ambassador to the U.S., addresses the media as he arrives at JFK airport in New York City, U.S., May 23, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid Purchase Licensing Rights
| Published April 20, 2025
Washington, D.C. — In a significant address amid escalating trade tensions, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, has urged for the cessation of the ongoing trade war between the two nations. Speaking in Washington, Ambassador Xie emphasized the detrimental impact of the trade dispute on the global economy and called for a return to mutual respect and cooperation.
“History has shown that trade wars have no winners,” Xie stated, referencing the 1930 U.S. tariffs that contributed to the Great Depression. He advocated for a balanced and harmonious approach to bilateral relations, drawing parallels to principles of traditional Chinese medicine.
Despite the call for peace, Ambassador Xie warned that China is prepared to retaliate against any country imposing tariffs on its goods. The trade war has already seen tariffs exceeding 100% on various products, alongside additional restrictions on trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
The ambassador’s remarks come as other U.S. trading partners, including Japan and Taiwan, engage in discussions with Washington over the newly implemented “Liberation Day” tariffs. President Donald Trump has indicated that private discussions with China are ongoing, though no high-level talks are currently scheduled.
China maintains that any future negotiations must be based on mutual respect. The situation remains fluid, with both nations navigating the complexities of international trade and diplomacy.
Here are the Implications of Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng’s remarks on ending the U.S.-China trade war, based on the April 20, 2025 Reuters report:
📌 Implications of China’s Call to End the U.S. Trade War
1. Strategic Signaling from Beijing
China’s public push to end the trade war is a diplomatic message aimed at reducing tensions without appearing weak. While the call for cooperation promotes a peaceful narrative, the simultaneous warning of retaliation signals that Beijing is prepared to escalate if provoked further. This dual tone may be designed to pressure the U.S. into negotiations on China’s terms.
2. Global Market Stability at Stake
With tariffs exceeding 100% on certain products and investment flows disrupted, continued trade conflict could have widespread economic consequences—not only for the U.S. and China, but for global supply chains, energy markets, and developing economies that rely on exports to both powers.
3. Reinforcement of China’s “Equal Respect” Doctrine
China’s insistence that talks be based on “mutual respect” reiterates Beijing’s long-standing demand to be treated as an equal global power. This principle will likely shape future negotiations, complicating any U.S. attempt to demand unilateral concessions or enforce stricter trade terms without reciprocity.
4. U.S. Foreign Policy Crossroads
The Biden (or Trump) administration now faces a difficult choice: escalate economic pressure through more tariffs and risk retaliatory action, or re-engage in talks that could be politically unpopular domestically. The U.S. must weigh national security concerns (e.g., on tech and rare earths) against inflation risks and supply chain disruptions.
5. Ripple Effects Across Indo-Pacific Alliances
Beijing’s warning comes as the U.S. strengthens trade and security ties with Taiwan, Japan, and other Indo-Pacific allies. If the U.S. is perceived as provoking economic aggression, it could strain regional partnerships or push neutral nations toward China’s economic orbit.
🧾 Overall Takeaway: U.S.-China Trade Standoff Enters a Critical Phase
China’s latest appeal to end the trade war, coupled with a firm warning of retaliation, marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-China relations. The message is clear: Beijing wants economic de-escalation but will not hesitate to respond forcefully if it perceives further aggression.
This diplomatic balancing act reflects the broader global stakes—where geopolitical rivalry now overlaps with trade, tech, and national security. While China’s call for “mutual respect” echoes familiar rhetoric, it also signals a hardened stance in demanding equal footing in negotiations.
For the U.S., the path forward is delicate. Continued tariffs may resonate with voters focused on domestic manufacturing and national resilience, but they also risk deepening global economic uncertainty and straining alliances. On the other hand, a return to the negotiating table could open the door to strategic compromise—or be seen as caving to pressure.
As both superpowers square off, the world watches closely—not just for economic impact, but for what this standoff reveals about the future of global order, sovereignty, and power. The next moves from Washington and Beijing may define more than trade—they may shape the tone of 21st-century diplomacy.
SOURCES: REUTERS – China’s US envoy urges end to trade war, but warns Beijing ready to fight
