Tariffs, whether implemented by China or the US, have the adverse effect of raising costs and lowering productivity, Robert Zoellick, former president of the World Bank and former US deputy secretary of state, said in a recent interview with China Daily. "I'm not a fan of tariffs." Zoellick said.

Expressing his disapproval of tariffs and highlighting its broader implications, Zoellick pointed out that the imposition of tariffs by the United States on Canada and Mexico could negatively impact the auto industry in North America.

Zoellick arrived in China in early March for the launch of his new book — the Chinese version of The American in the World — A History of US Diplomacy and Foreign Policy.