Trump’s Tariffs: As China retaliates, the world has refused to bend the knee

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OPINION

By Alan Collins Mpewo

Trump's first weeks in office for his administration's second term have not been short of interesting news. To his critics, he has proved right, and to the US allies, he has shocked them. In fact, jokes have been filling media platforms about the tariffs that were slapped on almost the entire world. His administration has recently imposed tariffs on countries’ products entering the US market, so it all seems like the US has been having it that bad to reckon.

To make America great again, either you bend towards our interests or you will be purged. China might be the greatest victim of the levied tariffs.

Trump in his first term as US president-imposed tariffs of over 20% on select Chinese products in the US, tariffs that were maintained by the Biden administration. From January to April 2025, the US trade-weighted average tariff rose from 2% to an estimated 24%, the highest level in over a century. Trump escalated an ongoing trade war with China, raising baseline tariffs on Chinese imports to an effective 145% after April 9, 2025.

Explaining that “the US’s imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense,” China reciprocated, announcing it was raising tariffs on all United States goods to 125 per cent.

The global south countries have been no exception, with a few mentions such as Zambia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, and many more. The intention, according to the White House media outlets, has been to level the playing field where the USA was facing unfair trading terms.

The state of affairs led shortly to panic, especially in the stock markets and as noted by numerous economists, JP Morgan Chase warned of the possible likelihood of a steep recession. But it was all resolute of the Trump administration that be damned, dear world, we are taking back what is 'rightly' ours. Long term allies affected. Alliances broken. Panic caused.

All in a bid to not only cause alarm and show strategic strength, but to push the countries on whom tariffs were imposed into negotiations, bending the knee towards the US, and put the rest on notice of what might happen in future should they not adhere to the US terms as they come.

Many years and efforts of diplomacy have been put to waste. Diplomacy is expensive. World histories are littered with case examples. But one event can change the course. The European Union had learnt so for decades, and now, with a new blow, it still learns of the inadequacies presented from its leniency to US supremacy.

The results? Now the EU is realigning its interests. Strange times. China's reaction does not come off as shocking. Neither does the imposition of stiff tariffs on its products. China equally issued fitting tariffs on US products entering the Chinese market and a limit to access to some rare earth materials, with US and Ukraine's rare earth deal gaining disruptions on the possibilities of success. The Canadian Premier also responded in equal measure as the US did. And by day, the list of those imposing similar or worse tariffs keeps growing.

In an official response, China stated (among others) in a communique, “by taking such action, the United States defies the fundamental laws of economics and market principles, disregards the balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations,... and weaponises tariffs to exert maximum pressure for selfish interests - a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. Under the guise of “reciprocity” and “fairness,” the US is playing a zero-sum game to pursue, in essence “America First” and “American exceptionalism.”

It attempts to exploit tariffs to subvert the existing international economic and trade order, put US interests above the common good of the international community, and advance US hegemonic ambitions at the cost of the legitimate interests of all countries.” Spot on, because as the communique rightly noted, the World Trade Organisation approach to international trading with a rules-based trade system was introduced to ensure balanced economic benefits for all world players. Fair trading and not economic bullying.

But the world has refused to bend the knee. For the global south, with incidents like the suspension of many African countries from AGOA, Uganda inclusive, has opened doors to new diplomacy and alliances. It goes without surprise as to why most countries in the global south are turning their choice of partnership to the East. To them, the US is no longer to be regarded as the decision-making commander on all world affairs, or the compass that determines how affairs should run in each country.

The window keeps getting opened to new allies, differently this time round, with allies that have some fabric of respect for autonomy and independence in determining internal politics and affairs - a lacking factor with the US alliance. With the growing tensions, the US days off reaping off heaven are reducing. This was made strategically with its withdraw from global commitments under the World Health Organization, International Criminal Court, and other United Nations parastatals.

The defiance has grown, dissent has increased, and realities are clearer. To re-echo Kissinger's quote, "To be an enemy of the US is dangerous. But to be a friend of the US is fatal." A country that has run its foreign relations in such ways is not one to keep close. The allies have until this year to open their eyes wider. For Africa, it has been a point of sheer exploitation.

From rumored regime change covert missions, to looting of minerals, and a growing lack of boundaries on the extent of meddling by Western powers, the ascension of the East - specifically China - as a parallel competing economy has been a blessing to the global south with alternative implementation of foreign policy and respect of autonomy.

A growing admiration of opposition from an ally showcasing the possibilities that lie in concerted neglect of unfair global dominance. What is certain is that the global south will survive, and whereas the economic disruptions will cause discomfort, more power lies ahead in turning away from full alliance with the US, all thanks to Trump's administration.

Alan Collins Mpewo, Senior Research Fellow, Development Watch Centre