China blasts ‘immoral’ US trade practices, courts Asean on free trade unity, stability

Foreign Minister Wang Yi presses Southeast Asian countries to not undermine interests of ‘third parties’ as region grapples with US tariffs

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) stressed cooperation as he described US trade practices as “unreasonable and immoral” during a meeting on Thursday with Md. Touhid Hossain, a foreign affairs adviser for Bangladesh. Photo: Handout

Published: 7:35pm, 10 Jul 2025Updated: 8:54pm, 10 Jul 2025

China’s top diplomat put Chinese and US trade practices in sharp contrast on Thursday as he pressed Southeast Asian countries not to undermine the interests of others in tariff talks with the United States.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called US trade practices “unreasonable and immoral” during a meeting in Malaysia with Md. Touhid Hossain, adviser for foreign affairs of the interim government of Bangladesh.

“China-Bangladesh cooperation delivers mutual benefits. China grants zero-tariff treatment, creating developing opportunities,” Wang said. “The US, however, has imposed a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladesh – one of the least developed countries – which is neither reasonable nor moral.”

At a regional meeting, Wang told foreign ministers from Southeast Asian countries that China viewed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as a key focus for its neighbourhood diplomacy and that the countries should support each other.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi slammed US trade practices during a meeting on Thursday with a delegation from Bangladesh. Photo: Handout

“China has always been the most reliable stabilising force in a turbulent world and the most reliable partner for Asean countries in addressing challenges,” he said, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

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