Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GENEVA, May 15 (Xinhua) — The United States uses tariffs as a strategic tool to extract concessions beyond trade, Carlos Correa, executive director of the South Center, said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.
He warned that such unilateral measures could cause serious harm to developing countries if not met with a strong and coordinated response.
The South Centre, an intergovernmental think tank of the Global South, is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The organisation seeks to advance the common interests of the countries of the South while respecting their diversity.
Correa criticized the unilateral imposition of US tariffs, noting that they have caused serious harm to developing economies, especially the least developed countries. “The consequences could be very significant: loss of jobs, even the closure of some industries and farms, rising debts and interest rates if the situation continues,” he added.
He also refuted the American narrative that the US trade deficit is caused by unfair practices of other countries, pointing to structural problems in the American economy. He warned that the US uses tariffs for selfish purposes, such as preferential access to mineral resources, which undermines the interests of most developing countries.
No country should ignore the international trading system, Correa stressed, calling on developing countries to strengthen cooperation to solve problems “created by one country.”
He noted that only through dialogue and collective action can the Global South protect its common interests and contribute to a balanced world economy. “Our advice to developing countries remains: do not avoid dialogue, but protect your interests and support a multilateral system that is effective in ensuring that rules serve not just one large economy, but the economies of all countries within the system,” Correa said.
Underlining the continued importance of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Correa called it the most comprehensive platform for coordination and dispute resolution. He called on developing countries to actively participate in WTO reforms to enhance the transparency and inclusiveness of the organization, thereby strengthening its legitimacy and effectiveness.
Correa also praised China’s active role in promoting South-South cooperation. “China has made active efforts to promote South-South cooperation, which has opened up broad opportunities for increasing trade among developing countries,” he said. –0–