China meets with Saudi Arabia and South Africa to discuss how to respond to US tariffs

Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao spoke with his Saudi Arabian and South African counterparts to share ideas on how to react to the ‘reciprocal tariffs’ imposed by the United States, the Chinese ministry said on Friday. 

The conversations took place over separate video calls on Thursday in which China discussed strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation with Saudi Arabia and South Africa. 

Wang also spoke to Saudi Arabia’s Commerce Minister Majid bin Abdullah al-Qasabi about enhancing cooperation with countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council, while G20 and BRICS’ roles were brought up in his conversation with South Africa’s Parks Tau. 

The Chinese commerce ministry’s statements did not elaborate on the discussions. 

Chinese officials have been canvassing other trading partners about how to deal with the U.S. tariffs, most recently talking to counterparts in Spain, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. 

As Trump suddenly paused his ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on other countries hours after they came into effect earlier this week, he ratcheted up duties on Chinese imports as punishment for Beijing’s initial move to retaliate. 

Trump has now imposed new tariffs on Chinese goods of 145% since taking office, a White House official said. 

Trump told reporters at the White House he thought the United States could make a deal with China, but he reiterated his argument that Beijing had “really taken advantage” of the U.S. for a long time. 

“I’m sure that we’ll be able to get along very well,” Trump said, adding that he respected Chinese President Xi Jinping. “In a true sense he’s been a friend of mine for a long period of time, and I think that we’ll end up working out something that’s very good for both countries.”