Experts have denounced U.S.-initiated trade wars for their detrimental impact on the Global South, while applauding China's resolute stance for revitalizing momentum and restoring confidence in global trade.
Speaking with China Global Television Network (CGTN), experts delved into the far-reaching consequences of U.S. tariff policies on developing countries, highlighting China's decisive actions as a counterbalance to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade approach.
Yazini April, executive director of the Global South-North Centre, warned that the suffering of Global South countries amid global tariff tensions has been largely ignored.
"In terms of what the impact is in the Global South. I think that the challenge also is that the focus of the tariffs has really been on countries like Canada, the EU, the pushback with those countries. So you have your Global South countries kind of left out of the whole discussion. And they say when the elephants fight, the grass suffers. So they have been the grass suffering," she said.
Sudheendra Kulkarni, former director of operations in the Indian Prime Minister's Office, emphasized China's pivotal role amid global trade tensions and praised its firm pushback against the U.S.'s unjust tariff measures.
"It is an act of bullying. The countries around the world can be categorized in three categories, those who bully, those who get bullied and those who refuse to get bullied. Trump belongs to the first category, the country that bullies, and China belongs to the third category, a country that refuses to get bullied. And it's because China has stood up that you see how quickly Trump has tried to change his own stance. 90-day pause for tariffs on all the countries in the world. It happened only because China stood up," said Kulkarni.
Echoing Kulkarni's view, Muneer Kamal, secretary general and chief executive officer of the Pakistan Banks Association, highlighted that China's confidence stems from its growing self-reliance in technology.
"China is part of those countries would refuse to get bullied and there are good reasons why China today refuses to. Number one, Mr. Kulkarni also highlighted this, China today, maybe 10 years back it was a different story, but China of today does not depend on technology stack of United States of America. Every other country is, not China, they have covered the gap and they are doing very well. And because of this technology gap is not there between China. They can afford to play this game with a lot of confidence," Kamal said.
Looking ahead, Einar Tangen, a senior fellow at the Taihe Institute, urged nations to move beyond division and embrace shared values rooted in rational cooperation.
"It's not about creating entrenched interest, south versus north. That's how we got into these problems. 600 years of colonialism where they said we're superior and you simply bow to our needs. We need to go back to some sort of rationality where civilization, as opposed to empire values, are in fact put in place," he said.
China's firm stand against US tariffs inspires confidence in Global South: experts
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
