China’s UN Envoy Criticizes U.S. Sanctions Against Ethiopia, Pushes Instead For Multilateral Response

The brief respite from U.S.-Chinese sniping at the United Nations over the deteriorating situation in Ethiopia came to an abrupt end this week. The two countries had momentarily put aside their differences on Friday when they signed a joint statement calling for the warring factions in Ethiopia to cease hostilities and enter talks. 

But by late Monday, Ambassador Zhang Jun made it clear that their approach to the unfolding crisis remains diametrically opposed from one another. “Using trade restrictions or cutting off aid as a means to exert maximum pressure on Ethiopia will only interfere with a political settlement, and not help the parties resolve their conflicts and rebuild mutual trust,” Zhang told the Security Council in reference to the U.S. Trade Representative’s announcement last week to terminate Ethiopia’s duty-free trade privileges unless “urgent action” is taken within 60 days.