China urges multilateralism amid trade talks with U.S.

China has stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation in global trade, asserting that while recent bilateral discussions with the United States mark a step forward, they are not enough to resolve deeper systemic issues.

Speaking at a two-day session of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) General Council in Geneva, China’s delegation described multilateralism as “indispensable” for navigating ongoing global trade turmoil. The comments come in the wake of renewed negotiations between Beijing and Washington, aimed at easing tensions sparked by a series of reciprocal tariffs earlier this year.

“While bilateral talks may sometimes work, China believes multilateralism is the inevitable and ultimate choice to address global challenges,” China’s mission to the WTO stated.

The trade standoff escalated in April when the United States, under then-President Donald Trump, imposed tariffs reaching up to 145% on Chinese goods. China retaliated with its own duties, raising concerns among global markets. However, following discussions on May 12, the two countries agreed to a partial truce: the U.S. reduced its tariffs to 30%, while China lowered its own to 10%.

Despite this step, China used the Geneva forum to advocate for a broader, rules-based approach, urging WTO members to stabilize global trade relations.

“Unilateral tariffs and the threat of ‘reciprocal tariffs’ are just like adding fuel to the fire, which is simply wrong,” the Chinese delegation said. “An open, stable, and rules-based international economic and trade order serves the common interests of all.”

In contrast, the United States expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of current multilateral structures. Its representatives criticized the WTO for failing to address what they view as fundamental flaws in global commerce, including large trade deficits and the impact of non-market policies.

“The multilateral trading system, as currently constructed, has been unable to address the serious challenges that face the system,” the U.S. delegation said, calling for urgent reform of the WTO.

In a show of solidarity with the multilateral approach, 47 WTO member states — including Singapore and Switzerland — endorsed a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the rules-based trading system. The move highlights growing international concern over unilateralism and trade fragmentation. As global economic uncertainty continues, the divide between unilateral and multilateral approaches remains a central issue in international trade diplomacy.