BEIJING (Realist English). As the Trump administration gives U.S. allies a 90-day window to finalize new trade deals—excluding China—Beijing has launched an aggressive diplomatic campaign aimed at undermining Washington’s push to form an anti-China economic coalition, according to Bloomberg.
Sources familiar with the matter say President Xi Jinping has ruled out direct talks with Donald Trump, instead choosing to escalate pressure through multilateral forums. China is demanding the removal of “reciprocal” tariffs and presenting itself as a defender of a fair and inclusive global trade order.
During a meeting with BRICS representatives in Brazil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared: “If you stay silent and retreat, the aggressor will only grow stronger.” The next day, China’s Foreign Ministry released a video titled “Do Not Bow”, branding the U.S. an “imperialist power” and calling concessions to Washington “drinking poison to quench thirst.”
Chinese diplomats are reaching out to key U.S. partners—including Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and several Latin American countries—urging them to resist Washington’s pressure. Chinese Premier Li Qiang reportedly sent a personal letter to the Japanese prime minister, while Beijing is preparing to host Narendra Modi, offering increased trade and renewed religious tourism to Tibet.
However, Chinese officials privately fear that goods displaced from the U.S. market may flood others, fueling local tensions. This concern was raised during a recent G7 meeting, where ministers urged China to address domestic economic imbalances. According to Bloomberg, the U.S. is even considering secondary tariffs on countries that continue to deepen economic ties with China.
Neil Thomas, a fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said that China’s campaign is unlikely to make Washington’s allies turn away—but it could complicate Trump’s efforts to build a cohesive anti-China front, especially in areas like export controls and military coordination.
