Xi Jinping Looks to Rally World Against US Amidst Trump’s Trade Push

China has launched a coordinated diplomatic effort to counter President Donald Trump’s latest trade maneuvers.

The campaign aims to reframe Beijing as a defender of the global rules-based order while portraying the United States as an unreliable economic partner.

At the center of the dispute is Trump’s 90-day grace period for US allies to strike new trade deals—an offer that notably excludes China.

Chinese officials argue this is a calculated “divide and conquer” tactic designed to isolate Beijing and strengthen Washington’s leverage.

In response, President Xi Jinping’s envoys have been visiting foreign capitals, warning leaders that aligning with Trump’s trade agenda risks entanglement with an unpredictable and coercive US strategy.

China Builds Its Hand—And America Wants to Weaken It

China appears increasingly confident in its ability to weather the economic impact of renewed US tariffs—far more so than many smaller economies.

Since the last trade war under President Trump, Beijing has focused on diversifying supply chains and strengthening domestic markets to reduce its exposure.

President Xi Jinping has so far avoided direct engagement with Trump, instead demanding that Washington initiate any de-escalation by lifting tariffs.

Chinese officials frame their resistance not merely as self-preservation, but as a stand in defense of the global economic order.

Wu Xinbo, director at Fudan University’s Center for American Studies, explained:

“This is not just about China-US. It is really about the international trade and economic system.”

Wu, a former Foreign Ministry envoy to Washington, claims China’s firm stance has created strategic breathing room for other nations:

“If China hadn’t stood up to the US, how would the US give them a 90-day pause?”

In Brazil, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged BRICS countries to collectively push back against US trade pressure.

He said:

“If you choose to remain silent, compromise and retreat, it will only allow the bully to become more aggressive.”

Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry released an English-subtitled video labeling the US an “imperialist force,” citing historical precedents such as American trade restrictions on Japanese firms like Toshiba to highlight what it sees as a pattern of economic coercion.

Mixed Response to Diplomatic Push

While some US allies in the European Union have criticised President Trump’s tariffs, they remain hesitant to align closely with China.

Concerns persist that Beijing could flood European markets with cheap exports, especially if it is increasingly shut out of the US economy.

At a recent G7 summit, finance ministers urged China to address its internal economic imbalances and avoid further inflaming trade tensions.

India, meanwhile, is cautiously advancing talks on what may become the first major US trade deal under Trump’s new terms.

The agreement reportedly spans 19 sectors, including agriculture.

Domestically, however, expectations are mounting for President Xi Jinping to deliver tangible results.

Although shielded from electoral pressure, Beijing faces mounting challenges, including rising youth unemployment and a persistent property crisis that has resisted multiple rounds of policy intervention.

In response, state media has called on citizens to “weather storms together.”

One government official remarked:

“The sky will not fall.”

In an effort to build diplomatic momentum, Chinese Premier Li Qiang recently reached out to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba for support against US tariffs.

While Japan has resisted joining a formal American-led bloc, it remains cautious given its deep trade ties with China.

Meanwhile, Chinese provincial officials have fanned out globally—particularly to Latin America—to forge new export relationships and reduce dependence on traditional markets.