The trade tensions between China and the United States have intensified as both nations engage in a series of retaliatory measures that could have significant global economic implications. The Chinese government has responded to the U.S. imposing 10% tariffs on imports from China by raising duties on certain U.S. energy imports. Additionally, China placed two American companies on an unreliable entities list, potentially limiting their business operations within the country.
Amidst these developments, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. issued a stern statement, underscoring China's readiness to confront any form of conflict initiated by the U.S. The statement highlighted China's determination to handle a "tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war" until its conclusion.
"If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we're ready to fight till the end." – Chinese Embassy in the U.S.
This escalation comes as President Donald Trump intensifies economic and political pressure on Beijing. The cumulative tariffs imposed by the U.S. have reached 20% within a month, with further increases on the horizon. In response, China has announced additional tariffs, as high as 15%, on specific U.S. goods starting from March 10.
China's relationship with the U.S. has historically been marked by disagreements, and current events suggest that this trend is likely to continue. Despite this, Beijing is firm in its stance against external pressure or threats. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized the nation's resolve and called for a return to constructive dialogue.
"If the U.S. has other agenda in mind and if harming China's interests is what the U.S. wants, we're ready to fight till the end. We urge the U.S. to stop being domineering and return to the right track of dialogue and cooperation at an early date," – Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson
In conjunction with these statements, China has launched new export restrictions targeting designated U.S. entities. These measures are part of a broader strategy to counteract the increasing average effective U.S. tariff rate on Chinese goods, which is projected to reach 33%, a marked increase from roughly 13% before President Trump commenced his latest term in January.
The Chinese Embassy's post on X further reinforced an assertive stance towards the U.S., signaling that China will not yield to what it perceives as unwarranted pressure. This sentiment was echoed during China's most significant political meeting of the year, which began on Tuesday in Beijing, where the government outlined its key economic targets for 2025.
China's decision to impose additional tariffs and export restrictions follows the U.S.'s recent explanation for these measures, which linked them to fentanyl-related issues—a rationale that China dismissed as a "flimsy excuse."
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