China Warns of Retaliatory Tariffs Amid Rising US Trade Pressure

Beijing, April 8 Tensions between China and the United States escalated further on Tuesday as Beijing warned Washington of retaliatory tariff hikes if the U.S. proceeds with its plan to impose additional tariffs of up to 50% on Chinese imports. China’s Ministry of Commerce called the move unilateral and coercive, asserting that Beijing would respond firmly to protect its sovereignty and economic interests.

China Slams U.S. Tariff Threats

The warning came after former U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his pledge to raise tariffs on all Chinese goods by 34% amid ongoing election rhetoric. In response, China emphasized that no nation has the right to intimidate others using economic leverage. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that such blackmail would not go unanswered, and China “will not bow to pressure”.

“Trade wars benefit no one,” the spokesperson added. “We urge the United States to correct its mistakes and roll back all unilateral tariff measures against China.”

Strong Reaction from Chinese Media and Officials

In an editorial published by People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist Party, China dismissed the potential economic impact of U.S. tariffs, saying:

“The sky will not fall. The more pressure we face, the stronger we become.”

China has already announced retaliatory tariffs of 34% on all U.S. imports and hinted at additional actions, including restrictions on rare earth mineral exports and trade bans on specific U.S. companies.

According to CNN, as other nations struggle to negotiate trade deals with Trump-era policies, China is standing firm and sees this conflict as a potential opportunity to reposition itself on the global economic stage.

Global Concerns About Escalating Trade War

Ryan Hass, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, noted during his recent visit to China that many Chinese scholars, officials, and business leaders believe that the U.S. is making a strategic error that could undermine its global standing.

China’s Foreign Ministry echoed these concerns, stating that as the world’s second-largest economy and consumer market, China is unshaken by shifting international dynamics.

China Sends a Clear Message

Liu Zhikin, Senior Researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University, emphasized that China is sending a clear message to the world:

“China will not tolerate U.S. bullying.”

While the timeline and extent of tariff implementation remain uncertain, the rising rhetoric on both sides signals a renewed trade conflict that could have significant repercussions on global markets and supply chains.