On March 7, 2025, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies, accusing him of ushering in a “return to the law of the jungle” with his imposition of sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as those from Canada and Mexico.
Drawing from reports by the BBC, CNN, NBC, Fox News, and Chinese state media, this condemnation came during a Beijing press conference amid the National People’s Congress, where Wang warned that Trump’s “America First” approach threatens global stability.
The critique follows Trump’s February 4 implementation of a 10% tariff on Chinese imports—escalated to 20% by early March—alongside 25% levies on Canada and Mexico, prompting retaliatory measures and igniting a trade war. While China vows resilience and readiness for “any type of war,” the U.S. defends its stance as a necessary counter to trade imbalances and security concerns, highlighting a deepening rift with far-reaching economic and geopolitical consequences. This article explores the origins of this clash, the responses from both sides, and its implications for the world order.
The Tariff Trigger: Trump’s Bold Move
Trump’s tariff policy, enacted shortly after his January 2025 inauguration, aimed to fulfill campaign promises to protect American industries and address perceived threats like illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. CNN reported that the initial 10% tariff on Chinese goods, effective February 4, eliminated the de minimis loophole for shipments under $800, a move Trump touted as a blow to foreign exploitation of U.S. markets CNN: China slams Trump’s’return to the law of the jungle’. By March 4, the tariff doubled to 20%, per Fox News, reflecting a hardening stance against Beijing Fox News: Trump doubles down on China tariffs. The BBC noted that simultaneous 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, justified by Trump as leverage against border security issues, further escalated tensions with America’s top trading partners BBC: Trump triggers trade war with tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico.
China’s response was swift and uncompromising. NBC detailed Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs of up to 15% on U.S. agricultural goods like pork and chicken, alongside expanded export controls on American firms, signaling a tit-for-tat escalation [NBC: China warns it’s ready for ‘any type of war’ with US]. Chinese state media, via Xinhua, framed these measures as a defense against “U.S. bullying,” asserting that China had taken steps to curb fentanyl production—contrary to Trump’s claims—and accusing the U.S. of fabricating pretexts for economic aggression Xinhua: China refutes U.S. claims on fentanyl, slams tariff pressure.
Wang Yi’s Rebuke: A Call for Global Order
Wang Yi’s March 7 press conference, held on the sidelines of China’s “two sessions” legislative gathering, provided the platform for Beijing’s most pointed rebuke yet. CNN quoted Wang warning that if every nation adopts an “America First” mindset, “the world will revert to the law of the jungle,” a thinly veiled swipe at Trump’s unilateralism CNN: China slams Trump’s ‘return to the law of the jungle’]. The BBC interpreted this as China positioning itself as a defender of multilateralism, contrasting its stability with U.S. unpredictability BBC: China sets growth target amid Trump tariff war. Wang’s remarks, though not naming the U.S. explicitly, left little doubt about their target, especially as he emphasized China’s readiness to “fight till the end” in any trade conflict.
Chinese media amplified this narrative. Xinhua portrayed Wang’s speech as a rallying cry for global cooperation, accusing Trump of dismantling decades of trade norms Xinhua: Wang Yi warns against law of the le. The rhetoric aligns with China’s broader strategy to cast itself as a responsible superpower, a theme underscored by its announcement of a 7.2% military budget increase to $245 billion, per NBC, signaling preparedness for any escalation [NBC: China boosts defense spending amid tariff clash].
U.S. Justification and Domestic Backlash
Trump defended his tariffs as a necessary recalibration of global trade. Fox News reported his assertion that countries like China had exploited the U.S. for decades, with tariffs leveling the playing field Fox News: Trump justifies tariffs as fair trade asure. In a March 5 congressional address, Trump claimed, “Now it’s our turn to start using them against those other countries,” per CNN, framing the policy as a patriotic stand CNN: Highlights from Trump’s congressional address. The administration also tied tariffs to national security, with NBC citing Trump’s focus on fentanyl flows—despite data showing most seizures occur at the U.S.-Mexico border, not from China directly [NBC: Trump ties tariffs to fentanyl crisis].
Domestically, however, the policy faced resistance. The BBC highlighted warnings from U.S. businesses, like automakers and retailers, about supply chain disruptions and price hikes, with TD Economics estimating a $3,000 increase in car prices [BBC: Trump mulls exemptions amid economic fears]. CNN noted a 34% spike in the U.S. trade deficit to $130 billion in January, suggesting tariffs might backfire CNN: Trump’s tariffs could raise prices for Americans. This pressure led Trump to grant temporary exemptions to Canada and Mexico on March 6, a move absent for China, per Fox News Fox News: Trump pauses tariffs on Canada, Mexico.
China’s Defiance: Economic and Military Posturing
China countered Trump’s tariffs with both economic resilience and military signaling. The BBC reported Beijing’s ambitious 5% growth target for 2025, unveiled during the National People’s Congress, as a defiant show of confidence BBC: China sets growth target amid Trump tariff war. Premier Li Qiang, per CNN, acknowledged domestic challenges like sluggish consumption but vowed to “prevail over any difficulty,” backed by a record 4% budget deficit to boost spending CNN: China defies Trump’s trade war with 5% growth rget. State media showcased technological advances, like DeepSeek’s AI chatbot, as proof of China’s adaptability Xinhua: China’s tech progress defies U.S. pressure.
Militarily, the 7.2% defense hike matched prior years but underscored readiness. NBC quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesperson declaring China prepared for “any type of war,” a stance Fox News linked to rising U.S.-China tensions [Fox News: China warns of war readiness]. This rhetoric, while bellicose, also aimed to deter further U.S. escalation, per the BBC [BBC: China says it’s ready for ‘any type of war’].
Global Reactions and Implications
The tariff war reverberated globally. Canada and Mexico, hit by 25% tariffs, retaliated with their own levies, though Trump’s exemptions softened the blow, per NBC NBC: Trump walks back tariffs on Canada, Mexico. China, excluded from such reprieves, sought to capitalize on U.S. friction with allies, with the BBC suggesting Beijing might court Canada and Mexico as trade partners BBC: China eyes global partnerships amid tariff clash. CNN reported market turmoil, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.8% on March 6, reflecting investor fears of a prolonged trade conflict CNN: Markets reel from Trump tariffs.
The broader implications are profound. Fox News analysts warned of a potential recession in North America if tariffs persist, while China’s resilience could shift global supply chains Fox News: Trump tariffs risk economic fallout. The BBC posited that Trump’s actions might accelerate a multipolar world, with China leveraging U.S. isolationism to expand its influence [BBC: Trump’s tariffs reshape global order].
Conclusion
China’s accusation of Trump reviving the “law of the jungle” encapsulates a clash between unilateral protectionism and multilateral stability. As reported by the BBC, CNN, NBC, Fox News, and Chinese media, Trump’s tariffs have unleashed a trade war with economic risks for all involved, yet neither side shows signs of backing down. China’s defiance—bolstered by economic targets and military posturing—contrasts with U.S. assertions of fairness, setting the stage for a prolonged struggle. Whether this heralds a chaotic global “jungle” or a rebalanced order remains uncertain, but the stakes for trade, power, and stability are undeniably high.
