Following three days of financial turmoil, China's Commerce Ministry struck a careful balance, declaring openness to talks while promising to "continue response to the end if needed" against Trump's selective tariff strategy. After excluding China from his 90-day tariff pause, the combined US duties on Chinese goods have reached 145%, triggering additional Chinese countermeasures including limiting US film imports.
Throughout the day, state media orchestrated messaging emphasized resilience, with multiple outlets simultaneously publishing Xi's statements that "China has always grown through storms and tests" and "all countries share one boat with a common destiny." The narrative presented China as steadfast amid pressure.
Meanwhile, Xi pursued regional diplomacy, sending congratulatory messages to the CELAC summit and emphasizing building a "community with shared future with neighboring countries" - continuing his pattern of seeking allies amid trade tensions. Chinese A-shares showed three consecutive days of gains despite the trade turmoil.