Former Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe criticized the U.S. for using tariffs as a coercive tool to enforce its hegemonic position, warning that such actions harm others without yielding benefits for itself. In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Masuzoe emphasized that Washington’s tariff hikes are designed to stifle the growth of other economies, reinforcing its dominance at the expense of global trade stability. "In terms of the field of artificial intelligence, for example DeepSeek, China is catching up to and even surpassing the U.S. at an astonishing pace. The U.S. feels a strong sense of crisis, fearing that if this continues, China may exceed the U.S. in more areas. The 'weapon' at Trump's disposal is tariffs. I have great confidence in China's development that China will not lose, and Japan will not lose either. As long as we strengthen our own capabilities, we can take the initiative and maintain control," Masuzoe said. He noted that in 1930, the U.S. government instigated a global tariff war, which ultimately led to the Great Depression and became one of the triggers for World War II. Following the war, countries around the world embraced free trade, paving the way for global prosperity. However, Masuzoe warned that the U.S. is now repeating past mistakes, an approach that will harm others without yielding any benefits for itself. "Will the U.S. economy improve by adopting economic protectionism? Absolutely not. In fact, it is the U.S. that is suffering. For example, American farmers will face severe difficulties if they cannot export their agricultural products to China. The current Trump administration has abandoned the responsibility of 'protecting global free trade,' and I refer to this phenomenon as 'America's decline,'" Masuzoe said. He urged nations to unite in response to U.S. tariff policies and defend free trade, stressing the need to safeguard the stability of the global economic system. "If this approach [of the tariff war] disrupts the process of achieving shared prosperity through free trade, it will worsen the global economy. This is absolutely something we cannot allow to happen," he said. SHOTLIST: FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 1. Various of White House, U.S. national flag; Tokyo, Japan - Recent 2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Youiti Masuzoe, former Tokyo Governor (starting with shot 1/ending with shots 3-4): "In terms of the field of artificial intelligence, for example DeepSeek, China is catching up to and even surpassing the U.S. at an astonishing pace. The U.S. feels a strong sense of crisis, fearing that if this continues, China may exceed the U.S. in more areas. The 'weapon' at Trump's disposal is tariffs. I have great confidence in China's development that China will not lose, and Japan will not lose either. As long as we strengthen our own capabilities, we can take the initiative and maintain control."; FILE: Beijing, China - Date Unknown 3. Various of Tian'anmen Rostrum, Chinese national flag, traffic; FILE: USA - Date Unknown 4. Various of facilities, ships, containers at port; Tokyo, Japan - Recent 5. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Youiti Masuzoe, former Tokyo Governor (starting with shot 4/partially overlaid with shot 6/ending with shot 7): "Will the U.S. economy improve by adopting economic protectionism? Absolutely not. In fact, it is the U.S. that is suffering. For example, American farmers will face severe difficulties if they cannot export their agricultural products to China. The current Trump administration has abandoned the responsibility of 'protecting global free trade,' and I refer to this phenomenon as 'America's decline.'"; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown 6. White House; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Los Angeles, USA - Date Unknown 7. Various of vessels at port; 8. Crane moving container at port; Tokyo, Japan - Recent 9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Youiti Masuzoe, former Tokyo Governor (starting with shot 8/ending with shots 10): "If this approach [of the tariff war] disrupts the process of achieving shared prosperity through free trade, it will worsen the global economy. This is absolutely something we cannot allow to happen."; FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024 10. Various of Capitol building; FILE: Philadelphia, USA - Oct 2024 11. U.S. national flag; FILE: New York City, USA - Oct 2024 12. Various of buildings, pedestrians, traffic. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]