China targets America in Trump-India dispute.
China backs India in US tariff row, using social media to challenge Washington as Modi prepares for his first China visit since 2018.
New Delhi: China has publicly supported India in the wake of fresh US tariffs, using official social media channels to criticize Washington and highlight Beijing’s own trade policies. The move comes as tensions rise between New Delhi and Washington over trade talks and India’s purchase of Russian oil.
China’s Response to US Tariffs on India
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, further straining bilateral trade ties.
Responding to the decision, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that China opposes the misuse of tariffs — a stance it has maintained “consistently and clearly.”
Diplomatic Messaging via Social Medi
The statement was amplified on X (formerly Twitter) by Yu Jing, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, who has been notably active in recent days posting supportive messages toward India.
Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong also took to X, quoting a conversation between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazilian presidential adviser Celso Amorim:
“If you give Grandpa a step, he’ll give you a step back.”
In another post, Chinese officials compared Beijing’s trade openness with Washington’s tariffs — noting that China approved 183 new Brazilian exporters, while the US imposed tariffs on Brazilian coffee.
India–US Relations Under Strain
India has long been a strategic partner for the US, particularly in Indo-Pacific initiatives like the Quad (with Australia and Japan) and the I2U2 grouping (with Israel and the UAE).
However, relations have cooled in recent months, with President Trump accusing India of continuing to buy Russian oil and expressing frustration over the lack of progress in trade deal negotiations.
China’s Position on India’s Sovereignty
Quoting an editorial from The Hindu, Yu Jing wrote:
“India’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and its foreign policy decisions cannot be manipulated by other countries.”
This messaging aligns with Beijing’s broader diplomatic push to present itself as a defender of India’s independent decision-making — even as historical tensions remain.
History of Chinese Social Media Diplomacy in India
The Chinese embassy in New Delhi has increasingly used social media to influence public opinion and indirectly lobby policymakers.
- July 2024: Called for resuming direct flights and tourist visas for Chinese citizens, suspended since the pandemic.
- Promoted historical India–China ties and advocated for easing post-Galwan tensions.
Past Tensions and Steps Toward Normalcy
Relations soured after the Galwan Valley clashes of 2020, but in October 2024, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced a disengagement agreement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Days later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, marking a thaw in relations. Since then, both nations have introduced confidence-building measures to reduce friction.
Upcoming SCO Summi
Modi is expected to visit China at the end of this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of States Summit. This would be his first trip to China since 2018, when he attended the SCO meeting in Qingdao.
China has also been promoting Russia–India–China trilateral dialogues as part of its multilateral strategy.
Conclusion
China’s vocal support for India amid US tariffs may be part of a broader effort to reposition its diplomatic role in South Asia. While India remains a key player in US-led security frameworks, Beijing appears eager to exploit friction between New Delhi and Washington — using trade, sovereignty, and social media outreach as tools of influence.
