China has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal that NATO impose sweeping tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on Beijing over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking in Ljubljana after talks with Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, stressed that “wars cannot solve problems” and warned that sanctions would only deepen global instability.

“China does not participate in or plan wars,” Wang said, according to Chinese state media. “What China does is encourage peace talks and promote political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue.”

Calling for greater international cooperation, Wang urged both China and Europe to act as partners, not rivals. He emphasized that strengthening multilateralism and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter were essential amid what he described as “intertwined chaos and continuous conflicts.”

Wang’s remarks came shortly after Trump argued that NATO should adopt punitive tariffs on China until the war in Ukraine concludes. Writing on Truth Social, the former U.S. president claimed that Beijing holds “a strong control, and even grip, over Russia” and suggested that such tariffs would help “break that grip” and hasten an end to the conflict.

The comments mark an escalation of Trump’s rhetoric against Beijing. Earlier this month, he accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of “conspiring against” the United States, following China’s largest-ever military parade attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Hours later, however, Trump sought to downplay tensions, insisting that his personal relationship with Xi remained “very good.”

Beijing’s latest response underscores its push to frame itself as a mediator in global conflicts, while rejecting U.S.-led efforts to isolate it through sanctions or trade restrictions.

China has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal that NATO impose sweeping tariffs of 50 to 100 percent on Beijing over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking in Ljubljana after talks with Slovenia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, stressed that “wars cannot solve problems” and warned that sanctions would only deepen global instability.

“China does not participate in or plan wars,” Wang said, according to Chinese state media. “What China does is encourage peace talks and promote political settlement of hotspot issues through dialogue.”

Calling for greater international cooperation, Wang urged both China and Europe to act as partners, not rivals. He emphasized that strengthening multilateralism and upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter were essential amid what he described as “intertwined chaos and continuous conflicts.”

Wang’s remarks came shortly after Trump argued that NATO should adopt punitive tariffs on China until the war in Ukraine concludes. Writing on Truth Social, the former U.S. president claimed that Beijing holds “a strong control, and even grip, over Russia” and suggested that such tariffs would help “break that grip” and hasten an end to the conflict.

The comments mark an escalation of Trump’s rhetoric against Beijing. Earlier this month, he accused Chinese President Xi Jinping of “conspiring against” the United States, following China’s largest-ever military parade attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Hours later, however, Trump sought to downplay tensions, insisting that his personal relationship with Xi remained “very good.”

Beijing’s latest response underscores its push to frame itself as a mediator in global conflicts, while rejecting U.S.-led efforts to isolate it through sanctions or trade restrictions.