According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce website on the 10th, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a video call on the 9th with ASEAN's rotating chair and Malaysia's Minister of International Trade and Industry, Zafrul. The two sides had a candid exchange of views on issues such as strengthening China-Malaysia and China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation and jointly responding to the U.S. imposition of so-called 'reciprocal tariffs'.
Wang Wentao stated that the U.S.'s so-called reciprocal tariffs disregard the interest balance results achieved through many years of multilateral trade negotiations and ignore the fact that the U.S. has long profited substantially from international trade. This severely harms the legitimate rights and interests of various parties, including China and ASEAN countries, and is a typical act of unilateral bullying.
The U.S. actions harm its own interests, endanger global economic development, and disrupt the stability of industrial and supply chains, severely undermining the international trade system. In response, China firmly opposes these measures and has taken decisive countermeasures. If the U.S. persists, China will stand its ground to the end.
Wang Wentao expressed that China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with trade partners, including ASEAN, to resolve concerns through equal dialogue and consultation based on mutual respect, and to jointly safeguard the multilateral trade system.
Zafrul stated that the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry has issued a statement deeming the U.S. government's related policies as non-compliant with the free and fair trade principles stipulated by the World Trade Organization. Malaysia fully respects China's position and is willing to support multilateralism and the development of global trade in cooperation with ASEAN countries to consult and jointly address the U.S. reciprocal tariff measures.