Global Trade War: China has officially extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the country later this year for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, confirmed the invitation, saying, “Warmly welcome PM Modi to visit China for the SCO summit this fall.” In a written response to the Times of India, Xu added that China is prepared to work with India and other SCO member states to jointly host a friendly, united, and fruitful summit, aiming to usher the SCO into a phase of high-quality development.
Diplomacy amid trade wars
The invitation comes at a time of intensifying global trade disputes, particularly between the US and China. President Donald Trump has recently imposed tariffs of up to 145% on certain Chinese goods, with some duties reportedly reaching 245%. In retaliation, China has levied tariffs of 125% on US products. India, too, found itself caught in the crossfire when the US slapped a 27% tariff on select Indian exports earlier this year, though a 90-day pause has since provided some relief.
While trade negotiations between India and the US continue, Delhi is reportedly considering further tariff cuts to ease tensions. The US had recently been India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $190 billion. Both nations, along with Australia and Japan, are also part of the Quad, a strategic alliance aimed at counterbalancing China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
This is from the Chinese Ambassador to India’s interview with the Times of India
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Xi Jinping eyes regional stability
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has wrapped up a diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, positioning Beijing as a reliable trade partner amidst growing friction with Washington. Earlier this week, during his Southeast Asia tour, Chinese President Xi Jinping championed the concept of an “Asian family” to promote regional unity. In a veiled response to US pressure, Xi urged solidarity against geopolitical tensions, declaring, “Together we will safeguard the bright prospects of our Asian family,” Bloomberg reported.