In response to former US President Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff reprieve for countries negotiating trade deals—excluding China—President Xi Jinping has unleashed a sweeping global diplomatic campaign. This strategic move aims to undermine Trump’s effort to form an economic bloc that would isolate Beijing during ongoing trade tensions.

China's Message: The US is a Bully, Not a Reliable Partner

Chinese diplomats are delivering a consistent message worldwide: the US is a self-serving economic bully that cannot be trusted. With Trump’s administration pressing allies to strike short-term bilateral deals and then jointly confront China, Beijing is taking preemptive steps to fracture that coalition.

Wu Xinbo, a respected Chinese academic and former envoy to the US, summed up China’s strategy succinctly. He emphasized that China’s resistance to US tariffs has indirectly benefited other countries, earning them a temporary tariff pause. Wu argues that Washington only granted the 90-day window because of Beijing’s defiance, and thus, other nations should "appreciate" China’s stance.

Beijing Appeals to the Global South and Traditional US Allies

To solidify this narrative, China's top diplomat Wang Yi addressed BRICS nations in Brazil, calling on members to oppose Trump’s protectionism. His rallying cry: “Silence is complicity. Compromise only emboldens bullies.”

Simultaneously, China’s Foreign Ministry has intensified public messaging, branding the US an “imperialist” force. A bold video release compared Trump’s trade actions to historical moves that crushed Japanese firms like Toshiba. One line stood out:
“Bowing to a bully is like drinking poison to quench thirst.”

Xi Jinping Avoids Direct Talks with Trump While Building Strategic Leverage

Unlike previous trade showdowns, Xi has avoided direct contact with Trump, maintaining a hardline position and insisting the US must take the first step to remove tariffs. This approach serves dual purposes—signaling resolve domestically and portraying China as a defender of the rules-based international economic system.

Governor Pan Gongsheng, a key economic official, told US counterparts that the US was violating China's legitimate rights and interests. This was echoed in Wang Yi’s BRICS speech and further diplomatic efforts.

China Courts Key US Allies with Promises and Peace Gestures

While US allies like the EU, South Korea, and Japan may be inclined to side with Washington for security reasons, China is working overtime to drive wedges through economic enticements and strategic flexibility:

• Japan: Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a direct letter to Japan’s PM urging a joint response to US tariffs. Tokyo, reliant on Chinese trade, is expected to resist forming an anti-China bloc.

• India: Chinese officials took a surprisingly conciliatory tone during recent border discussions. China also pledged to import more Indian goods and reduce the trade deficit, while expressing readiness to restart a suspended Hindu pilgrimage.

• South Korea: To improve ties, China plans to host a K-pop concert for the first time in nearly a decade, signaling the end of the unofficial "K-wave" ban linked to US missile defense deployment.

• Australia: China’s ambassador Xiao Qian published a strongly worded op-ed titled “America’s Tariffs Are Turning the World Back to Law of the Jungle”, highlighting US aggression and defending Beijing’s stance.

China Extends Influence into Latin America and Beyond

Lower-tier Chinese delegations, including provincial leaders and state-owned company managers, are being deployed globally to open new export markets and lessen dependency on the US. According to insiders, Latin America—especially Argentina—is a top target due to transparent trade policies and stable growth potential.

Meanwhile, African and ASEAN nations are still being engaged, though with strategic caution given regional complexities.

The Global Perception Game

Despite China’s efforts, experts like Neil Thomas of the Asia Society argue that Beijing won’t easily replace Washington’s central role. However, he acknowledges that China’s efforts might disrupt US attempts to form a unified economic or military front against it.

This soft power maneuvering is not designed to win everyone over, but to muddy waters enough to prevent collective pressure. That alone could delay or derail Washington’s push for coordinated export controls, tech bans, or joint military actions.

A Subtle Shift in Global Trade Alignments

As of now, India is the furthest along in US trade negotiations, with talks covering 19 sectors, including agricultural access for American exporters. However, China’s renewed diplomacy has injected uncertainty into how solid US alliances really are.

The broader message from Beijing is that Trump’s dealmaking is short-sighted and self-serving, while China is playing the long game—advocating for multilateralism, trade fairness, and resistance to coercion.

Conclusion: China's Strategy May Not Win Hearts, But It Can Disrupt US Plans

Ultimately, China’s diplomatic offensive is not about turning countries pro-China—it’s about ensuring they don’t become aggressively anti-China under US influence. By offering economic incentives, improving strained relations, and portraying itself as a victim of US imperialism, China is reshaping the trade war from a bilateral showdown into a global narrative battle.

As the world inches toward Trump's trade deadline, Xi Jinping is betting that many countries would rather hedge their bets than rally behind another trade war.

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