https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202504/t20250425_11604503.html

Global Times: It’s reported that talks continue between the U.S. and China on tackling the fentanyl issue, but the Chinese are failing to negotiate in good faith. The U.S. might consider additional punitive measures to compel China to take meaningful action. This is according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter. What’s your comment?

Guo Jiakun: Fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s. The U.S. and the U.S. alone has the responsibility to solve it. Despite the goodwill China has shown, the U.S. slapped tariffs on Chinese imports and blames it on fentanyl. This is bullying through and through, and highly damaging to dialogue and cooperation on counternarcotics. The U.S. should know that vilifying others will not hide its failed responsibility, to punish those who try to help will not solve any problem, and intimidation or threats are certainly not the right way to engage with China.

Reuters: I have two questions. The U.S. side said that trade talks between the U.S. and China are ongoing and a White House official said lower-level in-person talks as well as a phone call between U.S. and Chinese staff have taken place this week. Has the U.S. tried to reach out to the Chinese side? If so, is China willing to engage in trade talks? Second question, China is considering exempting some U.S. imports from its 125 percent tariffs and is asking businesses to identify goods that could be eligible. Can China confirm this?

Guo Jiakun: On your first question, yesterday, both my colleague at the Ministry of Commerce and I gave a clear answer to this question. China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs. The U.S. should stop creating confusion.

On your second question, I am not aware of the specifics. I’d refer you to competent authorities.

CCTV: Recently the Permanent Mission of China to the UN held an Arria-formula meeting at the UN Security Council on “the Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations” in New York. Can you share more information about that?

Guo Jiakun: On April 23, Ambassador Fu Cong of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN chaired the UN Security Council Arria-Formula Meeting on “the Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations.” Representatives from over 80 countries, including UNSC members, attended the meeting. China stressed at the meeting that the U.S.’s tariff levies severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violate the WTO rules, and severely disrupt the global economic order. It is essentially about subverting the existing international economic and trade order by means of tariffs, putting the U.S. interests above the common good of the international community, and serving US hegemony at the cost of other countries’ legitimate interests. The world needs openness and inclusiveness, not closure and isolation, sovereign equality, not the strong bullying the weak, fairness and justice, not putting one’s own country first, and solidarity and cooperation, not division and confrontation. The international community must make the right choice, make its unified voice heard, and take joint actions.

Many countries at the meeting called for upholding multilateralism, strengthening dialogue and cooperation, safeguarding the WTO-centered multilateral trade regime, abiding by the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and promoting the stability and development of all countries.

We hope the U.S. will face up to the widespread concerns and strong call from the international community at the meeting, stop unilateral measures and bullying practices targeting other countries, and stop serving its own hegemony at the cost of other countries’ legitimate interests. The world should not return to the law of the jungle where the strong bully the weak. The U.S. should not go further down the wrong path.