Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated at the Munich Security Conference that China would "play along to the end" if the U.S. continues its efforts to suppress the nation, though Beijing seeks no conflict with Washington. Wang emphasized China’s readiness to counter unilateral "bullying" while expressing hope for cooperation.
Tensions escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese goods, prompting China to retaliate with up to 15% duties on U.S. imports. This renewed fears of a full-scale trade war between the world’s largest economies.
In the lead-up to Trump’s inauguration, the Biden administration intensified curbs on the export of advanced technology to China, aiming to hinder its development of high-tech chips with potential military applications. Beijing criticized these restrictions as part of a broader strategy to stifle its technological growth.
Wang highlighted China’s resilience in overcoming challenges and reaffirmed the nation’s determination to persevere. Quoting the Book of Changes, he noted, “The movement of Heaven is full of vigour. Thus the gentleman makes himself strong and untiring.”
He also mentioned DeepSeek, a Chinese AI app developed despite U.S. chip restrictions, posing a potential challenge to U.S.-dominated AI chatbots like ChatGPT.
As U.S.-China tensions persist over trade and technology, Wang’s remarks underscore Beijing’s resolve to defend its interests while leaving room for dialogue. This ongoing rivalry continues to shape global economic and technological landscapes.