Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi issued a stark warning to the United States on Friday, asserting that "the wheels of history cannot be reversed" and urging restraint in international dealings. His remarks came during a meeting with Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as tensions over trade policies and global leadership intensify.
Defending Multilateralism Amid Tariff Disputes
Wang criticized what he described as a "major country" engaging in "unilateral bullying," emphasizing that recent U.S. tariff measures prioritize domestic interests over global cooperation. "The international community should not sit by," he declared, framing China’s stance as a defense of both national rights and collective international stability.
China's Role in Upholding Global Order
Highlighting China’s commitment to multilateral systems, Wang tied current efforts to the 80th anniversary of the United Nations’ founding. He pledged to strengthen the UN-centered international framework and collaborate with other nations to "resist all retrogressive actions" threatening global progress. This aligns with Beijing’s broader narrative of positioning itself as a guardian of established global governance structures.
A Call for Collective Action
Wang’s remarks underscore China’s growing assertiveness in shaping international norms amid heightened U.S.-China competition. By framing unilateralism as a threat to humanity’s shared interests, the statement aims to rally support among developing economies and institutional stakeholders wary of destabilizing power struggles.
