China Turns to India for Support as U.S. Trade War Intensifies Under Trump

In a bid to counter escalating trade tensions with the United States, China is reaching out to India for diplomatic backing. The move comes as the Trump administration imposed a hefty 104% tariff on Chinese imports, effective April 9, 2025, following Beijing’s refusal to lift its own retaliatory duties. The White House, via Fox Business, confirmed the steep tariff hike, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating it was a direct response to China’s unchanged stance on its trade measures.

The latest salvo in the U.S.-China trade war follows President Donald Trump’s earlier announcement of a 10% tariff on nearly all U.S. imports, coupled with additional duties of up to 50% on various trading partners, set to take effect on April 9. Trump had signaled his intent to act decisively if China did not relent, though other administration officials had downplayed the priority of trade talks with Beijing in the near term.

China’s appeal to India hinges on shared economic interests, particularly their mutual reliance on exports to the U.S. market. The South China Morning Post noted that Chinese analysts see potential for collaboration, given India’s own trade frictions with Washington New Delhi faces a 26% tariff on its exports to the U.S. Beijing’s outreach also reflects a broader strategy to rally developing nations against what it calls “U.S. tariff abuses,”.

Despite the overture, India’s response remains cautious. New Delhi is unlikely to impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., opting instead to leverage ongoing bilateral trade negotiations initiated earlier this year. Indian officials expressed confidence in a clause within Trump’s tariff order that could offer relief to countries addressing trade imbalances, positioning India favorably compared to other Asian nations like China, Vietnam, and Indonesia, which face higher duties.

The trade standoff has already rattled global markets, with China signaling resilience through plans to boost domestic stimulus and forge new international partnerships, according to the South China Morning Post. Meanwhile, Trump’s aggressive tariff policy continues to draw criticism from economists and political figures, including some within his own party. As the U.S. and China dig in, India finds itself at a pivotal crossroads, weighing its next move in a rapidly shifting economic landscape.