China and US clash over protectionism, trade tariffs

PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA: China and the US crossed swords on Saturday ahead of an APEC summit, duelling over protectionism, trade tariffs and “chequebook diplomacy” as they laid out sharply contrasting visions for the Pacific Rim region.

In combative back-to-back speeches at a business forum held on a cruise ship moored in Port Moresby, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US vice-president Mike Pence exchanged verbal blows.

The feisty exchanges laid the ground for what could be a fiery encounter between the Chinese leader and US President Donald Trump at next month’s G20 summt in Argentina.

Jinping lashed out at “America First” trade protectionism and stressed that “global trade rules should not be applied with double standards or selfish agendas”. It was a thinly veiled swipe at Washington.

Jinping urged the world to “say no to protectionism and unilateralism”, warning it was a “short-sighted approach that was doomed to failure”.

For his part, Pence vowed US tariffs would “remain in place” unless Beijing “changes its ways”.

Jinping opened a new road and a school in Port Moresby, where he was serenaded by dozens of people from various tribes sporting parrot feathers, possum pelts and seashell necklaces.

The APEC summit of leaders from 21 countries has developed into a tussle for influence between China and US.

In his speech, Pence said the terms of China’s loans were

Say no to protectionism and unilateralism. It is a shortsighted approach that is doomed to failure.. Global trade rules shouldn’t be applied with double standards or selfish agendas. XI JINPING, Chinese president, referring to the ‘America First’ approach

“opaque at best” and “too often, they come with strings attached and lead to staggering debt”.

US, AUSTRALIA TO BUILD NAVAL BASE IN PNG

The US government said on Saturday it will join forces with Australia in the development of a new naval base in Papua New Guinea, a project seen as a move to curb China’s influence in the Pacific.

Pence said, “The US has decided to partner with Papua New Guinea and Australia on their joint initiative at Lombrum Naval Base. We will work with these two nations to protect maritime rights in the region.”