Xi Jinping condemns tariffs: 'They damage global trade'. Trump opens to remodelling for China

During the official visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Beijing, Xi Jinping strongly reiterated China's opposition to protectionist policies, denouncing the negative impact of tariff wars on the global economic balance. The Chinese leader said that tariffs undermine the multilateral trading system and destabilise the international economic order.

At a press conference, then, Sinic Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun pointed out that"the door for talks [with the United States ed] is wide open". "China," he continued, "has stressed from the beginning that there are no winners in tariff and trade wars.

US duties on Chinese products are likely to be lowered, in general, to 50%-65%, according to a senior White House official who spoke to the Wall Street Journal, but could be lowered as low as 35% in the case of products not considered a threat to national security. Tariffs on the latter products, on the other hand, could be lowered to 100%, according to sources in the newspaper. 'We will have a fair deal with China,' Donald Trump said.

In the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, Xi and Aliyev signed a Joint Declaration for the launch of a "comprehensive strategic partnership", with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation in several areas: from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, the New Silk Road) to the digital economy, to energy transition and technological innovation. Twenty agreements were signed, testifying to the revival of ties between the two countries.

Xi reaffirmed full support for Azerbaijan in protecting its sovereignty and choosing a development model tailored to the country's domestic conditions. On the other hand, Aliyev reaffirmed his adherence to the 'One China' principle, recognising Taiwan as an integral part of Chinese territory and supporting the national reunification policy promoted by Beijing.