China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has warned that the United States’ sweeping tariff measures risk causing serious harm to developing countries, during a phone call Friday with World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Wang’s comments come as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to implement steep global tariffs, which the president claims are aimed at reviving U.S. manufacturing. However, critics argue that these measures will take years to translate into significant domestic production and are already sowing instability in global trade.

“The United States has continuously introduced tariff measures, bringing enormous uncertainty and instability to the world,” Wang told Okonjo-Iweala, according to a statement released Saturday by China’s Ministry of Commerce. “These actions are creating chaos both internationally and within the United States itself.”

Wang specifically criticized the U.S. policy of imposing “reciprocal tariffs”—targeted levies that disproportionately impact developing economies. “These U.S. tariffs will inflict serious harm on developing countries, especially the least developed nations, and could even trigger a humanitarian crisis,” he said.

Despite the tense climate, Okonjo-Iweala expressed cautious optimism, stating she still sees opportunities to address global trade challenges and foster cooperation amid the turmoil.

The conversation came just as China confirmed its own retaliatory tariffs—raising import duties on U.S. goods to 125%—would go into effect Saturday. The move nearly matches the Trump administration’s latest hike, which pushed tariffs on Chinese imports to an unprecedented 145%.

As the tariff standoff intensifies, Beijing and Washington continue to trade blame for the escalating economic fallout, while global markets and developing economies brace for the consequences.