China's commerce minister discusses multilateral cooperation with Saudi, South African counterparts

China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday met with Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi and G20 Presidency holder, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau separately through video calls, focusing on strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation amid the U.S.' reckless imposition of tariffs, according to statements released by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday. 

During the video call with the Saudi minister, the two sides exchanged views on responding to the U.S.’ imposition of so-called "reciprocal” tariffs, enhancing the economic and trade cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia as well as between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council. 

The two sides also discussed leveraging the role of the WTO, and upholding the multilateral trading system. 

When speaking with Tau, the two sides discussed responding to the U.S.’ imposition of the so-called "reciprocal” tariffs, strengthening China-South Africa economic and trade cooperation, and leveraging multilateral platforms including the G20 and BRICS.

According to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce on Thursday, Wang has held a meeting via video link with Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Malaysia's minister of investment, trade and industry, as Malaysia currently holds the rotating chair of ASEAN. 

During the talk, he expressed China's willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with trading partners, including the ASEAN, and to resolve respective concerns through dialogue and consultation based on mutual respect, in a joint effort to safeguard the multilateral trading system.

China on Thursday reiterated its firm position on the U.S.' tariff threats.

In response to a question on the situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday said that "the U.S., in defiance of global criticism, is pitching itself against the rest of the world." 

The spokesperson said that the U.S. is still abusing tariffs on China, emphasizing that China firmly rejects and will never accept such hegemonic and bullying move.