China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, strongly condemned U.S. trade policy at a UN Security Council open meeting on Haiti held on April 21. Geng criticized the 10% tariff imposed by the United States on Haitian imports, describing the act as a blatant example of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion.
"How brutal, how absurd, how tragic," Geng said, referring to the U.S. decision to target a nation that is on the verge of collapse, plagued by poverty, and long suffering from foreign interference.
U.S. Role in Haiti's Turmoil
Geng outlined a historical critique of U.S. involvement in Haiti, accusing Washington of being the main external factor affecting Haiti's security, stability, and development. He recounted over a century of U.S. intervention, including military occupation, support for puppet regimes, constitutional manipulation, and political interference.
He noted that Haiti's current transitional political arrangement was largely shaped by the United States a year ago—yet the U.S. has since withdrawn support due to changes in its own government, leaving Haiti in deep political disarray.
Arms Flow and Inadequate Aid
Geng further accused the United States of being a primary source of illegal arms flowing into Haiti despite backing a UN arms embargo. He stated that weapons from Florida continue to flood Haitian black markets, contributing to worsening violence.
He also criticized the U.S. for failing to deliver meaningful support to the Multinational Security Support Mission for Haiti, which Washington helped initiate in 2023. Instead of fulfilling its funding promises, the U.S. allegedly attempted to shift the financial burden onto the UN and other member states.
"America First" at Haiti's Expense
Highlighting the humanitarian crisis, Geng condemned the U.S. for slashing foreign aid and deporting Haitian migrants under the pretext of national interest. He expressed shock that even Haiti—a UN-recognized Least Developed Country—was not spared from new U.S. tariffs.
"Haiti's fate should not be a bargaining chip for U.S. strategic interests," Geng warned. "Being too close to the United States should not be a curse."
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