The G20 held its second meeting of the Development Working Group, and China clarified its position on US "equal tariffs."

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the second meeting of the G20 Development Working Group in 2025 was held in Cape Town, South Africa from April 14-16. China expressed at the meeting that international trade is the engine of global development. The recent policy of the U.S. government on "reciprocal tariffs" severely undermines the international trade system, disrupts global industrial and supply chains, and continues to impact the world economy, depriving developing countries of their development rights. This is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. Several members expressed high concern over the serious impact of U.S. "reciprocal tariffs" on the multilateral trading system, emphasizing the need to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, strengthen position coordination, and jointly address the current global trade tension. The G20 held its second meeting of the Development Working Group, with China clarifying its position on the U.S. "reciprocal tariffs," and multiple parties calling for the joint defense of the multilateral trading system, and opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism. From April 14-16, the second meeting of the G20 Development Working Group in 2025 was held in Cape Town, South Africa. China expressed at the meeting that international trade is the engine of global development. The recent policy of the U.S. government on "reciprocal tariffs" severely undermines the international trade system, disrupts global industrial and supply chains, and continues to impact the world economy, depriving developing countries of their development rights. The G20 is a major forum for international economic cooperation, with the responsibility and mission of solving major global economic governance problems and jointly addressing global challenges. G20 members should adhere to the correct direction of globalization, strengthen unity, refrain from using trade restrictions, oppose trade protectionism, and jointly uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system. During the meeting, China exchanged views with the host country South Africa and other G20 members on the widespread imposition of "reciprocal tariffs" by the U.S., calling on all parties to strengthen cooperation and negotiate trade disputes in an equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial manner, jointly address the emergencies in international economic and trade relations, and create good conditions for achieving sustainable development goals. Several members expressed high concern over the serious impact of U.S. "reciprocal tariffs" on the multilateral trading system, emphasizing the need to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, strengthen position coordination, and collectively address the current global trade tension. The meeting also held in-depth discussions on global public goods, development financing and illicit fund flows, minimum standards for social protection, and initiated negotiations on relevant outcome documents to prepare for the Development Ministerial Meeting in July. This article is selected from "Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China", edited by GMTEight: Liu Xuan.