They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;Psalm 107 : 23
Reuters
Tue, April 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM GMT+32 min read
BEIJING (Reuters) -China is “tearing down walls” and expanding its circle of trading partners, “shaking hands” instead of “shaking fists“, its foreign ministry said on Tuesday, as Beijing works on diversifying ties amid an escalating trade war with the U.S.
President Donald Trump has added an eye-watering 145% of tariffs on Chinese goods this year as part of broader reciprocal duties on all U.S. trading partners. That prompted ridicule and criticism from Beijing, which retaliated by jacking up levies on U.S. goods by 125%.
“In the face of external uncertainties, China will insist on shaking hands rather than shaking fists, tearing down walls instead of building barriers, connecting instead of decoupling,” Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson, told a press briefing on Tuesday.
Christ Himself had given both the moral and the ceremonial law. He did not come to destroy confidence in His own instruction. It was because of His great reverence for the law and the prophets that He sought to break through the wall of traditional requirements which hemmed in the Jews. While He set aside their false interpretations of the law, He carefully guarded His disciples against yielding up the vital truths committed to the Hebrews. DA 307.2
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The World Trade Organization has warned the high-stakes Sino-U.S. trade row could cut the shipment of goods between two economies by as much as 80% and severely hurt global growth.
Beijing has called U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs strategy “a joke“, irritating U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
“These are not a joke. I mean these are big numbers,” Bessent said in a Bloomberg Television interview. “I think no one thinks they’re sustainable, wants them to remain here, but it’s far from a joke.”
Upon another Sabbath, as Jesus entered a synagogue, He saw there a man who had a withered hand. The Pharisees watched Him, eager to see what He would do. The Saviour well knew that in healing on the Sabbath He would be regarded as a transgressor, but He did not hesitate to break down the wall of traditional requirements that barricaded the Sabbath. Jesus bade the afflicted man stand forth, and then asked, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?” It was a maxim among the Jews that a failure to do good, when one had opportunity, was to do evil; to neglect to save life was to kill. Thus Jesus met the rabbis on their own ground. “But they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, He saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.” Mark 3:4, 5. DA 286.2
Any U.S. China negotiations would have to come from “the top,” involving Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bessent also said.
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Xi on Monday kicked off a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, which is facing potential U.S. tariffs of 46%, Xi called for the two countries to oppose “unilateral bullying” and to strengthen cooperation in production and supply chains.
Chinese and Vietnamese officials also signed dozens of cooperation deals during Xi’s visit, including on production and supply chains as well as railway cooperation.
After a two-day stop in Hanoi, Xi will continue his Southeast Asian trip by visiting Malaysia and Cambodia, which could be slapped by additional U.S. tariffs of 24% and 49%, respectively.
Unity amid the Trade Turbulence
A commentary published on Tuesday by China’s state-run People’s Daily underlined the need for unity amid the trade turbulence.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbathkeepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. GC 608.2
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“In the face of crisis, no one can keep only to oneself,” the commentary said, referencing Dorothy’s adventure in the American children’s story The Wizard of Oz. “Only unity and cooperation can meet the challenge.”
Conscientious obedience to the word of God will be treated as rebellion. Blinded by Satan, the parent will exercise harshness and severity toward the believing child; the master or mistress will oppress the commandment-keeping servant. GC 608.1
Jesus had begun to break down the partition wall between Jew and Gentile, and to preach salvation to the world. Though He was a Jew, He mingled freely with the Samaritans, setting at nought the Pharisaic customs of His nation. In face of their prejudices He accepted the hospitality of this despised people. He slept under their roofs, ate with them at their tables,—partaking of the food prepared and served by their hands,—taught in their streets, and treated them with the utmost kindness and courtesy. DA 193.2
The commentary presented China as a benevolent advocate for free trade, spotlighting China’s decision to implement zero tariffs for some of its least developed partners.
(Reporting by Colleen Howe, Xiuhao Chen and Ryan Woo; Editing by Peter Graff and Kim Coghill)
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