Lin said Trump’s methods reflect a businessman’s mentality that overlooks the cooperative, rules-based foundations of global trade.

He made the remarks during a press conference held under the theme “China’s Medium- and Long-Term Development Prospects and the Significance of Its Stable Economic Growth to the World.”

Lin was answering journalists’ questions regarding the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States.

“Since I am not Trump, I can only infer his thinking from his policies. As a businessman, Trump takes great pride in his negotiation skills. He believes that international trade, economics, and politics can be handled like business deals—by creating advantageous bargaining positions to strike better terms,” Lin said.

He explained that Trump’s strategy is based on the belief that other countries are more dependent on trade with the U.S. and will therefore be forced to yield to pressure. However, Lin warned that such thinking is both flawed and dangerous.

“Trump assumes that, apart from China and the EU, which have economies as large as the U.S., other countries are much smaller. In his view, if you refuse to trade with me, your loss is bigger than mine... But I think there’s a major flaw in his logic. The world still depends on public goods and international rules. Without them, it’s hard to maintain order.”

He added that even small countries shouldn’t give in to unilateral pressure, as doing so could lead to repeated demands—a pattern already seen in U.S. dealings with Canada and Mexico. Lin urged the global community to restore a system based on trust and shared rules.

“Countries like China and the EU won’t easily give in... Even small countries shouldn’t surrender, because if you give in today, tomorrow he’ll ask for more. That’s already happened with Canada and Mexico. Therefore, the world now realises that deals with Trump cannot be trusted. We should restore a rule-based international order. This benefits us, American businesses, and ordinary Americans.”

Lin emphasised that the rest of the world, representing 85% of the global economy, must work together to resist isolationist trade tactics and promote open cooperation.

China urges closer ties with Africa

As global trade tensions continue to rise, China is also calling for stronger alliances with developing countries, especially in Africa, to push back against protectionism and safeguard multilateralism.

Recently, China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, Xue Bing, addressed a high-level seminar in Beijing and warned that moves such as decoupling supply chains, erecting trade barriers, and weaponising tariffs are endangering the global economic system, particularly for smaller economies in Africa and the Global South.

“We need to jointly shoulder historical responsibilities and advocate for an equal and orderly multipolar world, as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. China is ready to work with Africa to remember history, forge ahead together, and jointly uphold the basic rules of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter,” Xue said.

In 2024, trade between China and Africa reached a record $296 billion, marking a 6.1% increase from the previous year, according to Chinese customs data. South Africa remained China’s largest African trading partner, with trade totalling $52.4 billion.

To further strengthen these ties, China abolished customs tariffs on imports from 33 African countries in December 2024. The decision aligns with President Xi Jinping’s announcement at the September FOCAC summit of a $50 billion funding package for Africa over three years.

Professor Justin Yifu Lin, one of China’s prominent economists, has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump for treating international trade as a winner-takes-all game, warning that this approach risks damaging not only the global economy but also America's long-term interests.