China has strongly reacted to new tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, warning that it is prepared to push back against any form of economic pressure.
The trade dispute escalated after Trump announced new tariffs last month on Canada, Mexico, and China, arguing that the move was necessary to curb illegal drugs and undocumented migration into the U.S.
Under the new policy, a 25 percent tariff was imposed on all imports from Mexico, while most Canadian goods were subjected to the same rate.
Initially, Chinese imports were taxed at 10 percent, but this was later raised to 20 percent.
Canada and Mexico managed to delay the tariffs for a month, but with the grace period expiring, the U.S. resumed the charges.
China has taken its grievances to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which has warned that the ongoing tensions could harm the global economy.
In response, China introduced its own tariffs of 10 to 15 percent on selected U.S. imports, starting March 10. Additionally, it announced new restrictions on exports to certain American companies.
Criticizing the U.S. position, China’s foreign ministry dismissed Trump’s justification for the tariffs, calling the fentanyl crisis an internal American problem.
The ministry accused the U.S. of unfairly blaming China instead of acknowledging Beijing’s efforts to help combat the issue.
China also made it clear that it would not be intimidated, stating that economic pressure and threats would not force it to back down.
The ministry warned that the U.S. was miscalculating by using aggressive tactics and should engage with China on equal terms if it genuinely wants a resolution.