China has strongly condemned the new US tariffs imposed on its exports, vowing to take “countermeasures” to defend its interests. This comes after President Donald Trump unveiled a set of particularly harsh tariffs, including a 34 percent levy on Chinese goods, in a move that threatens to deepen the ongoing global trade war.
In a statement released on Thursday, China’s commerce ministry criticized the US tariffs as a violation of international trade laws and harmful to the legitimate rights of affected parties. The ministry called for an immediate cancellation of the tariffs, warning that they could damage global economic development and disrupt international supply chains.
China also accused the US of engaging in “unilateral bullying,” and emphasized that the tariffs would hurt US economic interests as well. These new duties come on top of a 20 percent tariff imposed last month.
At a press briefing, the Chinese government reiterated that it is in communication with the US on resolving the trade conflict. However, it also warned that the increasing protectionist policies by Washington have no “exit ramp” and pointed out the global opposition to such measures.
In retaliation, China had already imposed levies on a range of US agricultural goods, including soybeans and pork. Experts suggest that China may further respond by imposing export controls on critical minerals that are essential to the US economy.
As both nations continue to exchange tariffs, China’s economic outlook is increasingly uncertain, with experts predicting that its hopes for strong growth in 2025 could be dampened by escalating trade tensions.
The dispute over tariffs reflects a broader global pushback against protectionism, with both sides continuing to clash over the future of international trade.
