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Huizhao Huang

China pushed back on Monday against Washington’s attempt to rally other Group of 20 members to pressure Beijing over its US$1.2 trillion trade surplus.
“China never deliberately pursues a trade surplus and opposes unilateral tariff measures in all forms,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing.
Guo said China remained committed to “high-standard opening up” and would use its vast market to offer “new opportunities to all, including the United States”.
His comment was a response to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks that “the world cannot have a China with a US$1.2 trillion trade surplus” and that G20 members should reassess their trade terms with Beijing.
“Both sides need to act on the important common understandings reached between the two presidents, resolve outstanding issues through consultation on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and strive to maintain the hard-won positive momentum in bilateral trade,” Guo said.
Bessent made the remarks to Reuters on Sunday ahead of a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, and called for a coordinated response on trade with China. The comments came as Beijing and Washington are preparing for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned visit to the US on September 24.
Last month the US slapped tariffs of 10 to 12.5 per cent on goods from 60 economies following its forced labour investigation, with Chinese products facing the top rate of 12.5 per cent. Bloomberg reported last week that Washington was also considering an additional 7.5 per cent tariff on Chinese goods over allegations of excess manufacturing capacity.
China’s goods trade surplus hit a record US$1.2 trillion last year, prompting concerns from Western politicians. The European Union has warned that it would be forced to take action if talks with Beijing fail to deliver “tangible results” on trade imbalances by October.


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US-China trade war

Beijing pushes back on Washington’s attempt to rally G20 over trade imbalance

Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks to journalists on July 22, 2025. Photo: dpa/File photo

Economy

China Economy

Global Economy

After US Treasury Secretary Bessent called for coordinated response from G20 towards China, Beijing urged consultation instead


After US Treasury Secretary Bessent called for coordinated response from G20 towards China, Beijing urged consultation instead.


Beijing pushes back on Washington’s attempt to rally G20 over trade imbalance

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}After US Treasury Secretary Bessent called for coordinated response from G20 towards China, Beijing urged consultation instead

After US Treasury Secretary Bessent called for coordinated response from G20 towards China, Beijing urged consultation instead