(Yicai) April 15 -- China and other countries should work together to strengthen the World Trade Organization after the US government turned its back on global trade rules and agreements, according to a former economic and commercial counselor at China’s consulates in San Francisco and New York.

If international trade remains broadly stable, the impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes is likely to peak within a few years before gradually fading, He Weiwen, an executive council member of the China Association of International Trade, said in an interview with Yicai.

Last week, the Trump administration raised tariffs on Chinese imports to as high as 145 percent, while suspending a range of other global import duties for 90 days.

Although the US continues to hold considerable sway in global trade, its influence has been declining since the 1930s. Today, 74 percent of global trade operates under WTO rules, providing a foundation of stability, He pointed out.

"There’s no doubt -- since the US is disrupting global trade, other nations must explore alternative paths to maintain flexibility," the expert said, pointing to increased intra-regional trade under frameworks like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement among 15 Asia-Pacific countries.

Historically, tariffs have often served as defensive measures, He noted. But the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff policy disregards international agreements and treats tariffs solely as tools to extract unilateral benefits, he said, warning that this approach not only harms economic growth, trade expansion, and global supply chains but also undermines the international rules-based order.

The ex-diplomat stressed that China’s countermeasures aim to safeguard multilateral rules, defend the integrity of the global trading system, and protect its sovereign right to development. The US-China economic relationship is not as one-sided as Trump suggests, He noted. Many US products rely on China or Chinese supply chains, he said, adding that China is not in a weak position and has no reason to accept such unreasonable and wrong actions.

Compared to the US and European markets, China’s rapid stabilization of its financial markets reflects confidence and resilience. He concluded that the Chinese government should go on implementing targeted policies to support the economy, particularly in the area of foreign trade.

Editor: Emmi Laine