During the second General Council meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 10, 2025, China raised serious concerns regarding the United States' approach to "reciprocal tariffs." The Xinhua News Agency reported that China advocated for a collective response from WTO members to address these concerns.

On the first day of the meeting, China proactively set the agenda by submitting a written proposal advocating for the multilateral trading system at a time when its integrity is perceived to be under threat. The proposal called for a supportive statement regarding the current trading environment, a move that highlights China's leadership role within the organization.

China asserted that a transparent, stable, and rules-based international economic order is in the collective interest of all nations. Despite the WTO celebrating three decades of milestones and achievements, Chinese officials noted that the multilateral trading system now confronts significant challenges that need urgent attention.

The Chinese delegation emphasized that unilateral actions, such as the imposition of reciprocal tariffs, pose a substantial risk to the integrity of the rules-based multilateral trading system. They urged other WTO members to align with efforts to reinforce and enhance the system, with the WTO playing a central role in this endeavor.

In response to the evolving trade landscape, China proposed several actions aimed at stabilizing international trade. These included better policy transparency, increased market access for least developed countries, and calls for deeper reforms within the WTO, as reported by Xinhua.

China's proposals resonated strongly among several WTO member countries, including Brazil, Russia, and Pakistan. These nations also expressed deep concerns regarding unilateral trade measures and echoed China's call for greater adherence to the WTO's Most-Favored-Nation principle.

Furthermore, these nations stressed the importance of promoting WTO reforms and working collaboratively to strengthen the multilateral trading system in order to effectively navigate the turbulence currently impacting global trade.

The discussions at this General Council meeting signal a crucial moment for WTO members as they grapple with rising protectionist sentiments worldwide. By advocating for unity and cooperation, China seeks to reinforce the fundamental principles of the global trading system.