Wang Yi questions what US has achieved with tariffs, slams 'two-faced approach'

Both superpowers must seek peaceful coexistence, says China's Foreign Minister

- Yew Lun Tian Senior Correspondent and Lim Min Zhang

BEIJING - China's top diplomat Wang Yi has questioned what the US has achieved in imposing tariffs, while stressing that it is "fully possible" for the two superpowers to "prosper together".

"Has its trade deficit widened or narrowed? Has its manufacturing become more or less competitive? Has inflation gone up or down? Have the lives of its people got better or worse?" he said on March 7 in response to a question about China's approach to the US under President Donald Trump.

Mr Wang was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Two Sessions, China's annual parliamentary meetings held in Beijing, where thousands of delegates from across the country are gathering this week to discuss national policies.

The Chinese Foreign Minister added that no country should harbor any illusions that it can suppress China while maintaining good relations with Beijing. "Such a two-faced approach is not good for the stability of bilateral relations or for building mutual trust."

In vowing that China will take measures to counter "arbitrary pressure", he was the latest senior Chinese official to strike a defiant tone amid an escalating US-China trade war. Each side has imposed tariffs on goods from the other, with Mr Trump accusing China of not doing enough on drug control.

Since a new US administration took office in January, US-China rivalry has continued to play out across issues from technology to TikTok.

But there remains uncertainty in the trajectory of bilateral ties as Mr Trump has not yet articulated a broader strategy towards China, which remains hopeful of striking a deal with the US President that will avert further damage to its slowing economy.