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TWN Info Service
on WTO and Trade Issues (Apr26/11) Geneva, 15 Apr (D. Ravi Kanth) -- China's President Xi Jinping on 14 April issued two messages seemingly directed at Washington, stating that China would oppose any attempt to turn the world into "a state of lawlessness" following the allegedly illegal blockade imposed by the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, over which Iran and Oman jointly share sovereignty. In two separate messages delivered during meetings with the United Arab Emirates and Spain on 14 April, President Xi asked countries to respect territorial integrity and avoid illegal measures. In his meeting in Beijing with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, President Xi proposed a four-point plan to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, according to a report in China's Global Times. The four-point proposal underscores the need to respect the principle of peaceful coexistence; adhere to the principle of national sovereignty; adhere to the principle of international rule of law; and coordinate development and security. LAW OF THE JUNGLE In his meeting on 14 April with the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China, President Xi said China and Spain should strengthen cooperation to oppose a return of the world to "the law of the jungle," apparently suggesting that the world today is in turmoil, confronted with the contest between the rule of law and the rule of power. The Chinese President underscored the need for both China and Spain to jointly defend true multilateralism. According to a media report in the Financial Times on 14 April, the Spanish Prime Minister called on China to do more to end the conflict in the Middle East, apparently suggesting that Beijing can prevail over Washington. "I find it very difficult to imagine any other parties, apart from China, that could resolve the situation in Iran and the Strait of Hormuz," he said. Known to be a critic of the US-Israel axis, Prime Minister Sanchez apparently said that "today international law is being trampled underfoot." In response, President Xi appears to have commented that the global order is "beset by disarray," according to the FT report. On 14 April, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed reports of arms exports to Iran during the war on Iran and that the US would impose an additional tariff of 50 percent on China, as indicated by United States President Donald Trump. The Chinese spokesperson said "if the US insists on using the so-called arms exports as a pretext to impose additional tariffs on China, China will resolutely take countermeasures", according to a report in the Global Times. In response to a question about some media outlets reporting that the US would impose an additional 50 percent tariff on China if China is found to be supplying weapons to Iran, the Chinese spokesperson did not mince words. China has consistently adopted a prudent and responsible attitude regarding arms exports, implementing strict controls in accordance with its domestic export control laws and regulations as well as its international obligations, the Chinese spokesperson said. EUROPE MUST PLAY KEY ROLE Meanwhile, Iran seems to have stepped up its efforts to convince European leaders to play an active role by conveying to Washington the need to reach an agreement with Tehran, emphasizing that diplomacy remains the most effective path for resolving disputes. In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was prepared to continue negotiations within established international frameworks and suggested that Europe could play a key role in persuading Washington to do the same, according to media reports. "Despite expert-level understandings between the sides, excessive demands and a lack of political will among senior US officials have prevented a deal from being finalized," the Iranian President told his French counterpart on 14 April. "Approaches based on threats, pressure and military action are not effective and will only add to the complexity of the issues." The Iranian President reiterated that Iran views diplomacy as the preferred route and remains open to dialogue while protecting its national interests. President Pezeshkian underscored the importance of maritime security, saying that Iran has sought to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that any disruption there could have far-reaching consequences for global trade. It appears that United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Macron will co-host a summit in Paris on 17 April focused on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to a news report in The Guardian. "The summit will advance work towards a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping once the conflict ends," said a spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister. Amid growing reports of a likely second round of negotiations between the US and Iran later this week or early next week, it remains to be seen whether the US - which along with Israel launched operation Epic Fury against Iran - will show more flexibility, media reports suggested. "MAXIMALIST" DEMANDS It has become common practice that when Washington raises demands on any other country, they are treated as reasonable and fair asks. However, when countries ask the US to abide by international law or allow a country the right to develop nuclear energy, they are treated as "maximalist" demands, said analysts who asked not to be quoted. In an interview with Fox News on 13 April, US Vice-President JD Vance said that although the US made a lot of progress in talks with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan last week, there is a need for Iran to show flexibility. Vance said that Washington expects Iran to make progress on opening the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the negotiations would change if Tehran does not, according to news agency reports. Before leaving Islamabad, Vance said the two countries are worlds apart on the question of assurances that Iran can never build a nuclear weapon - "not just now, not just two years from now, but for the long term," according to a report in the New York Times. It seems that the Trump administration wants Iran to not pursue any nuclear research or uranium enrichment activity for 20 years, a demand Tehran did not accept while indicating its willingness to stop all nuclear-related activities for five years, according to the New York Times report. Instead, the US proposed a 20-year "suspension" of all nuclear activity, even though Iran claimed that it had not permanently given up its right to produce its own nuclear fuel, under the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. In response, Iran renewed its proposal that it suspend nuclear activity for up to five years, according to two senior Iranian officials and one US official, the New York Times report suggested. It is well known that due to the war launched by the US and Israel, Iran has found new leverage through curbing shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20% of global trade in petroleum products and 27% of trade in liquified natural gas. +
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