DPP's attempt to curry favor with US on tariff issues to bring no benefit: spokeswoman

China

DPP's attempt to curry favor with US on tariff issues to bring no benefit: spokeswoman

2025-08-13 16:26 Last Updated At：23:57

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' attempt to curry favor with the United States with an investment pledge in exchange for further negotiations on the so-called "reciprocal tariff" will bring no benefits to the people and businesses in Taiwan, said Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday.

U.S.-imposed 20-percent "reciprocal tariff" on China's Taiwan region took effect on Aug. 7, which is higher than the 15-percent rate on Japan and South Korea. The island's leader Lai Ching-te said that the tariff rate could be further negotiated with a possible pledge to increase investment in the U. S. by 400 billion U.S. dollars.

When asked to comment on this issue at a press conference held in Beijing, Zhu said that such pledge by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities is selling Taiwan away without any bottom line.

"Recently, the people and business communities in Taiwan have been really disappointed that, in the faces of the U.S. bullying in imposing additional tariffs and deliberately manipulating the appreciation of new Taiwan dollar, the DPP authorities have not only failed to protect the interests of the people in Taiwan but also intensified their efforts to kneel to and ingratiate themselves with the U.S. They have shown no limits in selling Taiwan away and have willingly complied with the U.S.'s hefty extortion amounting to 400 billion U.S. dollars, which is equivalent to half of Taiwan's annual GDP. What will the people in Taiwan think?" said Zhu.

"In the face of rising external risks and uncertainties, the Taiwan region could have strengthened cross-Strait economic cooperation and deepened cross-Strait integrative development to enhance its industrial resilience, solidify its economic foundation, and improve its ability to withstand risks. However, the DPP authorities, driven by their wicked attempt to seek secession by soliciting external forces, have ignored domestic economic and livelihood issues, sacrificing the development interests of Taiwan and causing profound harm to its people and businesses. We sternly warn the DPP authorities that currying favor will not bring any benefits, while kneeling themselves to the U.S. leads to a dead end," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.