'Compromise won't earn you mercy': China refuses to bow down to US tariff 'bullying'

China issued a fiery response, condemning the United States' global trade practices, accusing Washington of “bullying”, “deception” and economic coercion, as tensions over tariffs continue to escalate.
In a video post shared on X on Tuesday, the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs compared America’s actions to a storm with a deceptive calm warning allies that bowing to US pressure was similar to “drinking poison to quench thirst”.
The video opens with the video of a raging ocean storm, with the audio, “Have you heard of the eye of the storm? It appears calm for a moment but is actually a deadly trap. But calm before an even fiercer storm.”

It accused the US of deliberately targeting China by forcing other countries to limit trade with China, playing a “90-day pause game.”
However, China reaffirmed its firm opposition to the US, warning that yielding to American tariffs would be “like drinking poison to quench thirst.” To defend its stance, Beijing pointed to past instances where countries like Japan and France faced US accusations that ultimately undermined their national industries.
“History has proven that compromise won't earn you mercy — kneeling only invites more bullying.”
It said, “China won't kneel down because we know standing up for ourselves keeps the possibility of cooperation alive while compromise snuffs it out.”
The ministry further asserted that China won't back down, “so the voices of the weak will be heard.”
China also urged other nations to unite in pushing back against the US, asserting that America does not speak for the world and that its share of global production and trade accounts for less than one-fifth.
“We have the power to push back when the choice of the world stands together in solidarity.”
Taking another jibe at Washington, it said that “the US is just a small stranded boat. Imperialists are always arrogant. If they show a bit of reason, it's only because they're forced to do so.”
The statement closed with a firm message, warning that the United States will continue to “flip flopping and playing hardball” in its approach to global trade, but insisting that China will not waver.
“No matter how hard the wind blows, no matter how clouds rage, the darker the night, the brighter the stars shine,” it declared.
China further called for action, saying that “someone has to step forward, torch in hand to shatter the fog and illuminate the path ahead.” It called on all nations to stand tall and united, arguing that only through collective strength can the world break free from the grip of hegemony.
“When every nation stands tall, the world will break through the walls of hegemony. For China, for the world, we must rise and fight on,” the message stated.
China had earlier warned, opposing any country securing a deal with the United States at the expense of Chinese interests and vowed to take "countermeasures" if interests are compromised.
This strong message comes amid rising diplomatic friction, with Beijing flatly denying claims by Donald Trump that Chinese President Xi Jinping had recently called him to discuss the worsening trade dispute. The Chinese foreign Ministry said “no such call” had taken place, contradicting Trump’s assertions to Time magazine and at a White House press briefing.
“As far as I know, there has been no phone call between the two heads of state recently,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Monday. “China and the United States are not conducting consultations or negotiations on tariff issues.”
Trump’s tariffs, now as high as 145% on Chinese goods, are rattling markets and hitting American consumers and manufacturers alike. But China, for now, appears unfazed in its stance.