ISTANBUL

China's top diplomat Wang Yi called on the UK and EU to safeguard international trade on Tuesday amid US President Donald Trump's tariffs.

During a phone call with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Wang Yi said the US has used tariffs as a "weapon" to "attack" various countries, said a readout issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wang added that Beijing "has stood up to stop it" to "safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests" and "safeguard international rules and the multilateral trading system."

China is willing to work with the UK to "eliminate all distractions" and focus on mutually beneficial cooperation, he said, adding that Beijing and London are responsible for maintaining the international order formed after World War II, with the UN at its center and the multilateral trading system.

Wang also had a phone conversation with the Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger the same day, during which he similarly called for a joint defense of the multilateral trade system with the EU.

The foreign minister also expressed hope that the new Austrian government would maintain a friendly policy toward China.