China has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose additional tariffs on imports from India and Brazil, accusing the US of using trade measures as a political weapon. The reaction came after Trump announced a second wave of 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods on Wednesday, doubling the total import duties to 50 per cent, one of the highest levies imposed by the United States on any country.
Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong criticised the move in a post on X, warning against giving in to American pressure. “Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile,” he wrote, echoing growing concerns that Washington is attempting to coerce sovereign nations through economic punishment.
According to Ambassador Xu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also expressed China’s concerns during a phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s chief advisor, Celso Amorim. Yi reportedly stated that Trump’s trade policies “violate the UN Charter, undermine WTO rules, and are both unpopular and unsustainable.”
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Give the bully an inch, he will take a mile. pic.twitter.com/IMdIM9u1nd
— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) August 7, 2025
Trump Defends Tariffs, Warns Of More Sanctions
The fresh round of tariffs against India was triggered by its continued imports of discounted Russian oil, which Trump claims is helping fund the Kremlin’s war machine in Ukraine. During a press briefing at the White House, Trump signed an executive order enacting the new duties and defended his decision when asked why India was being singled out despite other countries, such as China, also continuing trade with Russia.
“It’s only been 8 hours. So let’s see what happens,” Trump told reporters. “You’re going to see a lot more… You’re going to see so many secondary sanctions.” The US President’s remarks suggest more countries could soon be targeted with economic penalties if they maintain trade relationships with Russia.
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Brazil Lodges WTO Complaint
Brazil has also come under US scrutiny, with Trump signalling similar measures. On Wednesday, Brazil filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in response to the new tariffs, which Washington partly justified as a reaction to Brazil’s domestic political decisions, specifically, the ongoing legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro. India, China, and Brazil are all significant players in global trade, and Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy risks isolating key partners at a time of deepening geopolitical divisions.