China slams Trump’s return to the ‘law of the jungle’
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has criticized US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, warning that if every country prioritized itself, international norms would suffer, and weaker nations would bear the consequences.
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing during the National People’s Congress, Wang said, “Should everyone stress ‘my country first’ and obsess over a position of strength, the law of the jungle would reign again.”
The remarks come as Beijing faces escalating trade tensions with Washington. Trump recently announced a doubling of tariffs on Chinese imports, prompting Wang to call out what he termed a “two-faced” approach. “No country should fantasize that it can suppress China on the one hand and develop good relations with China on the other,” he stated.
Wang also stressed that major countries should fulfill international responsibilities rather than prioritize selfish interests. “It should not wield the power to bully the weak,” he said, reiterating China’s opposition to “power politics and hegemony.”
Since taking office, Trump has dramatically reshaped America’s global role—reducing foreign aid, pulling out of international agreements, and shifting alliances. His administration’s recent pivot toward Moscow, including suspending military aid to Ukraine, has drawn criticism from European allies and given China an opportunity to frame itself as a stable global player.
China has used this shift to deflect criticisms of its own actions, including aggression in the South China Sea and tensions with Taiwan. Beijing is now positioning itself as a more reliable international partner compared to Washington.
Addressing the war in Ukraine, Wang reaffirmed China’s “objective and impartial” stance and dismissed US efforts to drive a wedge between Beijing and Moscow. “Moscow-Beijing ties remain a constant push in a turbulent world,” he said. He also echoed China and Russia’s longstanding opposition to NATO, implying that Western policies contributed to the Ukraine crisis.
On the conflict in Gaza, Wang indirectly criticized Trump’s proposal for the US to take control of the territory, urging instead for a ceasefire and humanitarian support. “If the major country truly cares about the people in Gaza, it should promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire,” he said.
The press conference highlighted China’s efforts to present itself as a global leader amid Trump’s disruptive foreign policy shifts.
Credit: CNN
