Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a strong warning against the mounting trade tensions between China and the United States, declaring that a trade war would have “no winner.” Xi’s comments came during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing, following the Trump administration’s imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese exports.

President Donald Trump’s administration introduced duties that have brought the total tariff level on various Chinese goods to between 125% and 145%. In a retaliatory move, China announced it would raise tariffs on American imports from 84% to 125%, effective at midnight local time on April 12, according to a statement by the Chinese Finance Ministry.

“Even if the US continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of the world economy,” the ministry said. The statement emphasized that American goods are becoming unviable in the Chinese market, and that if Washington continues with its tariff strategy, Beijing will choose to disregard further increases entirely.

During his joint appearance with Sanchez, Xi stressed the need for the European Union and China to “maintain international trade order” and “resist unilateral bullying.” He urged the resumption of “open cooperation” between China and the EU and stated that China would “strengthen its confidence” and focus on its internal development despite external pressures.

Xi’s remarks highlight Beijing’s frustration over the escalating tariff measures and its efforts to position itself as a stabilizing force in the global economy. The back-and-forth tariff increases mark a significant escalation in U.S.–China trade relations and raise concerns about the broader impact on global supply chains and markets.

As both nations entrench their positions, the international community faces growing uncertainty. Xi’s call for multilateral cooperation and China’s retaliatory actions underscore the high stakes of the trade dispute and the urgent need for diplomatic resolution before economic damage becomes irreversible.