China warned during the first annual meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the tariffs proposed by the United States could cause a global recession. The Chinese delegation pointed out that these tariffs violate WTO regulations, increase economic uncertainty, and can have consequences such as inflation and market distortions.
The U.S. delegation, for its part, accused China of operating a non-market-based economic system and frequently violating WTO rules. They also criticized the organization for being unable to address China's market-distorting policies, such as illegitimate subsidies.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged member countries to use dialogue and the organization's structures to seek consensus in this complex context. In its first month, the Trump Administration imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, as well as similar tariffs on steel and aluminum. Additionally, it was announced that tariffs equivalent to those imposed by other countries on U.S. products will be applied.
