On April 24, 2025, the Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian published an article entitled “America’s tariffs are turning the world back to ‘law of the jungle’” in the opinion section of the Australian, elaborating China’s solemn position on the US’s hegemonic and bullying moves of indiscriminately imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, coercing them into initiating so-called “reciprocal tariff” negotiations. He writes that if the world allows US to act with impunity, the world itself will revert to the “law of the jungle” where the strong prey on the weak, and all countries will become victims. He emphasizes that China is consistently advocating for the resolution of differences through dialogue and negotiation yet the U.S. bullying hindered the fair holding of negotiations. China will resolutely stand against the coercion, to prevent the world from returning to the “lawless” Jungle, stay fully confident in sustaining its own healthy and stable economic growth. China stands ready to work with the international community including Australia to firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order based on international law, and contribute to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world at large.

Recently, the United States has indiscriminately imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, coercing them into initiating so-called “reciprocal tariff” negotiations and demanding each country make significant concessions.

The international community must remain highly vigilant against such actions. If the US is allowed to act with impunity, the world will revert to the “law of the jungle” where the strong prey on the weak, and all countries will become victims.

Eighty years ago, drawing painful lessons from World War II and proceeding from the common interests of all mankind, countries around the world promoted the establishment of the United Nations, explicitly stipulating that collective action should be taken to prevent war, resolve disputes, and promote economic and social development.

Over the past 80 years, with the concerted efforts of all countries, we have established an international system with the United Nations at its core and an international order based on international law. This has enabled every country, whether poor and weak or wealthy and powerful, to participate in international competition and co-operation on an equal footing, thereby it has promoted the common development of all mankind.

Today, the US, obsessed with the supremacy of power, brazenly imposes tariffs on the entire world, pursues hegemonic politics and unilateral bullying in the economic and trade fields, and places American interests above the common interests of the international community, making the entire world, including its “allies” and “partners”, pay the price for its selfishness.

This has subverted the existing international rules and order, and will bring the international community back to the “law of the jungle”, with small and weak countries bearing the brunt of the consequences.

In the face of hegemony, appeasement and compromise will only be like bargaining with a tiger for its hide. And excessive concessions will only embolden the other side, ultimately leading to a lose-lose outcome and failing to resolve the issue.

Only by resolutely opposing all forms of unilateralism and protectionism can we uphold our international commitments and earn the respect of the global community. Only by firmly supporting the multilateral trading system can we safeguard the international rules-based order.

China is a steadfast defender of multilateralism and the international rules-based order, consistently advocating for the resolution of differences through dialogue and negotiation. However, the US, wielding the “big stick”, has indiscriminately imposed exorbitant tariffs on countries around the world.

This is a move to set preconditions for talks and undermines the fairness and integrity of negotiations. Faced with unilateral bullying, China will resolutely stand its ground, not only to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests but also to prevent the world from descending into a lawless “jungle” where might makes right.

China is the world’s second-largest consumer market and home to the largest middle-income group globally, boasting enormous potential for investment and consumption. Committed to high-quality development, China is accelerating its green, digital and intelligent transformation.

With strong industrial supporting capabilities, it offers the best application scenarios for the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.

This year, China’s macroeconomic policies have fully accounted for various uncertainties. It has ample reserve policy tools to effectively counter external adverse impacts and sustain its own healthy and stable economic growth. We are fully confident in this regard.

Both China and Australia are important countries in the Asia-Pacific region and beneficiaries as well as upholders of the multilateral system and free trade. History has repeatedly proven that a powerful country is not an almighty talisman, and alliance is not a free pass. On issues concerning principles and fundamental national interests, only by making independent decisions based on the interests of one’s own country and people can a nation secure a brighter future.

Amid the changing international landscape, China stands ready to work with all parties to resolutely oppose all forms of hegemony and bullying, firmly uphold the UN-centred international system and the international order based on international law, and contribute to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world at large.