China ‘firmly opposes’ US tariffs on India – ambassador

Xu Feihong has said Beijing backs New Delhi, while labeling the US a “bully”

China firmly opposes US tariffs on India, Beijing’s ambassador in New Delhi said on Thursday.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event in the Indian capital, Xu Feihong branded the US a “bully” for using tariffs as a weapon to make excessive demands.

“The US has long benefited from free trade but now uses tariffs as bargaining chips,” he said. “The US has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India and is threatening to impose more. China firmly opposes it. In the face of such acts, silence or compromise only emboldens the bully. China will firmly stand with India.” 

Earlier this month, the US said it would impose an additional 25% tariff on imports from India over its continued purchases of Russian crude. The new tariffs, which are due to take effect on August 27, come in addition to the 25% slapped on New Delhi after India and the US could not reach a trade deal. 

#WATCH | China's ambassador to India, Xu Feihong says, "...US has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India and even threatened for more. China firmly opposes it. Silence only emboldens the bully. China will firmly stand with India ." pic.twitter.com/0iMehF2K6e

— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2025

Xu’s remarks on Thursday come ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, where he is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

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The Tianjin meeting is expected to further build bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbors, which have been on an upswing since their leaders met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan last October. Ties had previously been strained since a 2020 border clash in the Himalayas claimed the lives of soldiers on both sides. 

India-China exchanges have largely been revived this year, with New Delhi restarting tourist visas for Chinese citizens after a gap of five years. In July, China permitted Indian pilgrims to visit Hindu holy sites in Tibet for the first time since 2020. The two countries have also agreed to recommence border trade at three designated points and allow direct flights between India and mainland China.

This week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi for border negotiations and held talks with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar, and also met Modi.