Arria-formula Meeting on “The Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations”
Tomorrow (23 April), China will convene an Arria-formula meeting on “The Impact of Unilateralism and Bullying Practices on International Relations”. The expected briefers are Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; and Wang Huiyao, Founder and President of the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing.
The meeting will begin at 10 am EST and take place in the ECOSOC Chamber. It is expected to be broadcast live on UNTV and will be open to representatives of all UN member states and permanent observers.
The concept note that China has circulated for the meeting describes a “surge in unilateralism and bullying practices” that it claims has “exacerbated tensions among states and threatened global peace and security”. As one example illustrating this trend, the concept note refers to recently imposed US tariffs on imported products.
On 2 April, US President Donald Trump announced a baseline ten percent tariff on all imports, citing a “national emergency” created by “foreign trade and economic practices”. He also imposed additional “reciprocal tariffs” targeting imports from 56 countries and the European Union (EU), including a 34 percent tariff on Chinese products. On 4 April, China responded by imposing a 34 percent tariff on US goods. A few days later, the US announced a 90-day suspension of the reciprocal tariffs, except for those on Chinese imports, which it incrementally raised to 145 percent. China retaliated by increasing its tariffs on US goods to 125 percent and implementing additional measures, including restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals. Speaking to the press on 17 April, Trump indicated a willingness to resolve the escalating tariff dispute, referring to recent communications with Chinese officials and expressing optimism about reaching a deal.
China’s concept note for tomorrow’s meeting argues that the US tariffs have had an adverse effect on global supply chains and violate international trade rules. It also warns of potential consequences for developing countries, including by widening the global wealth gap and undermining progress toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Citing both the declaration that the General Assembly adopted on the occasion of the UN’s 75th anniversary in 2020 and The Pact for the Future—the outcome document of the UN’s 2024 Summit of the Future—the concept note underscores the need to “uphold multilateralism” and “defend the basic norms of international relations”.
According to the concept note, tomorrow’s meeting aims to provide a platform for Security Council members and the broader UN membership to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and the UN Charter. This objective reflects a theme that China has frequently highlighted during its Council presidencies, including most recently in February, when it convened a ministerial-level open debate on “Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance”. (For more information, see our 17 February What’s in Blue story.)
In line with these priorities, the concept note proposes the following questions to help guide tomorrow’s discussion:
- How do unilateral tariffs destabilise the global economy and adversely impact international peace and security?
- What measures should the UN, including the Security Council, take to counter the impact of these measures?
- How can developing countries be supported to mitigate shocks and enhance their resilience?
At tomorrow’s meeting, Sachs and Wang may reiterate their recent public statements on the tariff dispute. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, held in Türkiye from 11 to 13 April, Sachs argued that the tariff measures were not grounded in sound economic logic and risked causing significant harm to the global economy. In an 11 April interview, Wang called on China and other countries to work together to safeguard the existing international trade system. He also highlighted China’s recent decision to lift tariffs on imports from the 33 least developed African countries.
Tomorrow, the US is likely to reiterate its position that tariffs are a legitimate economic tool to offset the country’s trade deficit and stimulate domestic manufacturing. China is expected to repeat its criticism of unilateral economic measures and seek to galvanise support for its position. It is likely to receive backing from members of the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter, which was established in 2021 and comprises 18 members, including China, Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran, Russia, and Venezuela. Some developing countries may use the meeting as an opportunity to reiterate their longstanding call for reform of the international trade system, advocating for a framework that is more inclusive and equitable, reflecting what The Pact for the Future described as “the importance of the multilateral trading system contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
Other countries may adopt a more cautious stance, given ongoing discussions aimed at resolving the trade dispute through bilateral negotiations.
