US and China ambassadors clash in Fiji over Trump's tariff policies
Beijing's top diplomat in Fiji Zhou Jian, left, and US Ambassador to Fiji Marie Damour.
Photo:
RNZ Pacific / U.S. Embassy Suva / Chinese Embassy in Fiji
The embassies of the United States and China in Fiji's capital Suva have begun a diplomatic war of words in reaction to Donald Trump's tariff policies.
Earlier this month, President Trump paused the sweeping tariffs he had announced on dozens of countries, except for those on China.
His administration has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent. In response, Beijing has slapped retaliatory duties of 125 percent on US goods.
China's Commerce Ministry said it will not back down and "will take countermeasures in a resolute and reciprocal manner", signalling that the trade war between the world's two biggest economies is far from over.
The impact of the diplomatic tussle is being felt thousands of miles from the corridors of power in Washington and Beijing, in the South Pacific, as the two countries' ambassadors take shots at each other over who has the moral high ground.
Beijing's top diplomat in Fiji Zhou Jian held a news conference where he told local reporters that the US's decision to impose "reckless tariffs on its global trading partners" was "absurd, selfish, disastrous, and bullying".
Zhou said China is a major nation and a responsible member of the international community.
"We stand firm against power politics, not only to protect our own sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also to uphold the common interest of all humanity, safeguard international fairness and justice," he said.
"China's position has long been clear: our door remains open for talks, but any dialogue must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality. If confrontation is the path chosen, China will fight to the end.
"China's opposition to US economic bullying is a just cause - and just causes will always win the widespread support of people around the world."
In response, the US Embassy in Suva shared a report by the Fijian state broadcaster FBC, with the headline
China labels US tariffs as 'Economic Bullying'
and quoted the Bible verse 'Matthew 7:3", suggesting that China should focus on its own shortcomings and not place blame on the US.
The US Ambassador to Fiji Marie Damour followed with a statement, saying, "It's puzzling that any country purporting to be a friend to Fiji would try to publicly undermine Fiji's bilateral relationship with one of its partners."
"That's not who the United States is or the kind of partner we strive to be," she was quoted as saying by the Fiji Times.
"Implying that Fiji is incapable of steering its own foreign policy not only insults the country's leadership, but also disrespects its people."
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