Overview

• China has formally invited all 193 UN member states to an informal Security Council meeting on April 23 to address U.S. tariff practices.
• The meeting aims to denounce what Beijing describes as the 'weaponization' of tariffs by the U.S., which it claims undermines global trade rules and economic stability.
• This initiative comes amid an escalating trade war triggered by steep tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and subsequent Chinese retaliation.
• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns that ongoing trade tensions could slow global growth to 2.3%, heightening recession concerns.
• The U.S. mission to the UN has deferred comments to the State Department, which has yet to respond to China's planned session.