Former Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe warned that the recent tariff hikes by the United States could drive the world economy into recession, urging the U.S. to reflect on such protectionist trade policies.
The U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported cars and introduced an additional 24 percent reciprocal tariff on Japanese products starting on April 9. These measures have raised concerns about potential systemic risks to the Japanese and global economy.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Masuzoe said the Trump Administration wants to use the so-called tariff weapon to solve the various problems of the U.S. economy, but the sharp fluctuations in the financial markets prove that his policy is wrong.
"The U.S. is indiscriminately weaponizing tariffs to threaten others, pressuring them to come to the negotiating table with concessions, only to reduce tariffs afterward slightly. This is their tactic. During this process, the global economy will slide into recession, a consequence on which the U.S. government must reflect. With American citizens already struggling, the new tariff hikes will drag them deeper into trouble and ultimately fail," he said.
He called on countries to uphold free trade to unite and safeguard the global economic order.
"Countries supporting free trade should join hands and move forward together, a shared belief of China, the EU, Japan, Australia and other countries. Yet the U.S. alone appears to hold a different view. The global free trade system has been advancing and leading the world toward prosperity. But if we return to protectionism, the world will face recession, and that’s a severe issue," Masuzoe said.
US tariffs could drive global economy into recession: former Japanese official
US tariffs could drive global economy into recession: former Japanese official
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more concrete measures.
Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing.
Xi urged efforts to confine power to an institutional cage in a more well-conceived and effective manner, and press ahead with the anti-corruption fight with a clearer understanding and stronger resolve, thus providing a strong guarantee for achieving the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).
Xi pointed out that in 2025, the CPC Central Committee had intensified efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity and combat corruption, achieving notable results. Xi said efforts were made to maintain a tough stance against corruption and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption.
Xi emphasized that implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee is a fundamental requirement for upholding its authority and its centralized, unified leadership.
Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials should implement the decisions and plans of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee with concrete actions, he said.
Xi noted that confining power to an institutional cage is an important task in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance.
He stressed that all are equal before the law and regulations, that compliance with them admits no privilege, and that enforcement of the law and regulations allows no exception.
Xi underscored that the fight against corruption is a major struggle that the Party cannot afford to lose, and must never lose.
He said that the current anti-corruption situation remains grave and complex, and that the task of eliminating the soil and conditions breeding corruption remains arduous. Xi added that it is essential to maintain a firm stance to leave corrupt officials with no place to hide.
Stressing the need to stay attuned to new trends and features of corruption, Xi urged efforts to innovate methods and approaches, promptly detect and accurately identify corrupt practices, and effectively address all forms of corruption, so as to continuously enhance the penetrating power of anti-corruption efforts.
He also urged strengthening coordination among all forms of oversight to advance integrated governance through whole-process collaboration, and called for sustained efforts to forge a loyal, upright and responsible disciplinary inspection and supervision force that dares to and is good at fighting against corruption.
Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting.
Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. On Monday afternoon, on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI, Li also delivered a work report.
Xi urges advancing Party self-governance with higher standards, more concrete measures
