Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao stated that the unilateral increase in tariffs by the United States has dealt a "serious blow" to the multilateral trade system.

During his meeting with Rebecca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Wang said:

"The unilateral increase in tariffs by the United States has delivered a serious blow to the multilateral trade system."

Wang emphasized that:

"All parties must firmly uphold multilateralism and free trade, protect the fundamental principles of the multilateral trade system, and contribute to greater stability and certainty in the global economy."

Trade relations between China and the United States have been escalating into a trade war, which began when U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China in February. This was later raised to 20% in March, prompting Beijing to retaliate with tariffs on American agricultural imports.

The crisis intensified as Washington imposed "reciprocal" tariffs on imports from other countries, raising the total tariffs on Chinese goods to 54% and currently reaching 145%. Meanwhile, China has imposed tariffs of 125% on American exports.