Next week, China will take the world stage at the United Nations with plans to accuse the United States of “bullying” and disrupting global peace and development. At an informal Security Council meeting on April 23, Beijing will present its case that the U.S. is using tariffs and sanctions as weapons to pressure other countries, particularly in the ongoing trade standoff with China.
While the Chinese government claims to be standing up for developing nations and free trade, critics argue that this move is nothing more than an attempt to shift attention away from its own aggressive actions. Many believe China’s accusations are filled with double standards and hypocrisy, especially when viewed alongside Beijing’s long record of economic coercion, territorial intimidation, and attempts to silence opposition on the global stage.
China Accuses the U.S. of Weaponizing Tariffs
In a formal invitation to all 193 U.N. member states, China described the United States as a disruptor of global order. The concept note for the meeting accuses the U.S. of “casting a shadow over the global efforts for peace and development” by using tariffs as a weapon in international relations. China specifically blames the United States for triggering instability in the global economy.
“By weaponizing tariffs as a tool of extreme pressure, the U.S. has gravely violated international trade rules,” the note reads, adding that these actions have caused “severe shocks and turbulence in the world economy and multilateral trading system.”
This attack on American trade policy comes after U.S. President Donald Trump expanded tariffs on Chinese imports as part of his broader effort to level the playing field in trade negotiations. The tariffs were intended to encourage fair trade and reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China, which has been criticized for years for manipulating markets, subsidizing state-run companies, and engaging in intellectual property theft.
Beijing’s Complaint About TikTok Legislation
China’s complaints are not limited to tariffs. Last year, Beijing lashed out at the United States again after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that could result in the banning of TikTok. The bill would require ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, to either sell the app or see it removed from U.S. app stores.
Chinese officials said the U.S. was acting on “groundless” national security concerns. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called the move “bullying” and said, “Everyone can clearly see what is bullying behavior and what is tantamount to theft logic.”
He added that the U.S. was “leveraging state power” to suppress Chinese enterprises without presenting concrete evidence that TikTok posed a security threat. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers pointed to Chinese laws that require companies to cooperate with government intelligence efforts, raising serious questions about user data and influence operations on the platform.
Despite TikTok’s assurances that American data is stored securely on U.S. servers managed by Oracle, lawmakers continued to voice concerns, especially ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Supporters of the bill warned that foreign influence over social media could be used to manipulate public opinion or gather private information.
U.S. Sanctions Targeting Chinese Firms Linked to Wagner Group
In another move criticized by Beijing, the U.S. sanctioned several Chinese companies believed to be aiding Russia’s Wagner Group, a mercenary force accused of serious human rights violations in Ukraine and Africa. One of the companies, Spacety China, was found to be supplying satellite imagery to Wagner affiliates to assist military operations in Ukraine.
China’s Foreign Ministry responded by accusing the U.S. of imposing “illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction,” and said the penalties were “seriously harming China’s interests.” Spokesperson Mao Ning said the U.S. “frequently spread false information” about China’s support for Russia and that the sanctions were “outright bullying and double standards.”
Yet the U.S. sanctions were part of a coordinated international effort to penalize companies enabling Russia’s war machine. Many argue that targeting Chinese firms for their role in aiding military aggression is far from bullying and falls within the realm of justified international action.
China’s Own Record of Bullying Other Countries
China’s effort to portray itself as a victim of international pressure is undercut by its own actions against other countries. In the South China Sea, China has repeatedly bullied smaller neighbors by installing barriers, blocking access to fishing grounds, and patrolling disputed waters with military ships.
In 2023, the Philippines condemned China for placing a floating barrier at Scarborough Shoal, preventing Filipino fishermen from accessing their traditional fishing grounds. Manila’s coast guard called it a “clear violation” of international law. One Filipino official said the Chinese typically place barriers “when a significant number of fishermen operate in the area,” indicating that these are not defensive actions, but strategic attempts to dominate contested waters.
These tactics are part of China’s long campaign to assert control over the South China Sea, where it claims about 90 percent of the territory despite rulings from international courts rejecting those claims. The region is vital for global trade and contains valuable resources, making China’s aggressive moves a direct threat to peace and economic stability in Southeast Asia.
Pressuring the U.K. Over Taiwan Trade Deal
China’s behavior is not limited to maritime disputes. In November 2023, the United Kingdom signed a trade agreement with Taiwan, deepening economic cooperation through an Enhanced Trade Partnership. China immediately condemned the agreement, warning the U.K. not to violate the “one-China principle.”
The Chinese embassy in London released a statement demanding that the U.K. “refrain from using trade cooperation as a pretext for official interactions.” While China does not control Taiwan, it has aggressively tried to isolate the island internationally, pressuring other countries to avoid official or even economic engagement.
This attempt to bully Britain into canceling a peaceful trade agreement shows how far Beijing is willing to go to enforce its political views abroad.
A Case of Projection
While China will argue at the U.N. that the U.S. is destabilizing the global system, the facts tell a different story. The U.S. actions that China calls “bullying”—such as regulating foreign tech platforms or sanctioning companies linked to war crimes—are responses to legitimate security concerns and violations of international norms.
On the other hand, China’s track record includes economic coercion, military expansion, censorship, and the suppression of sovereign nations’ rights. It has punished countries like Lithuania for recognizing Taiwan, threatened sanctions against Australia for seeking a COVID-19 investigation, and bullied smaller Southeast Asian countries through military posturing and economic pressure.
When China addresses the U.N. Security Council, it will try to position itself as a champion of fairness and international law. But its own behavior undermines that message. From maritime blockades and trade threats to censorship and political interference, China has often acted in direct opposition to the very principles it now claims to defend.
As the world listens to China’s complaints about “bullying,” many will be asking a simple question: Who’s really the bully here? For those who have watched China’s actions closely, the answer is clear. The accusations against the U.S. are not about justice or fairness—they are about shielding Beijing from the consequences of its own behavior.
ACZ Editor: This is right out of Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals – Accuse your opponent of what you are doing. It is clear to us and our allies what is happening, but neutral parties may not be able to tell the difference.