(The Post News)– China’s Ministry of Commerce has expressed strong opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports, vowing to take countermeasures if necessary.
In a recent statement, the ministry firmly stated, “If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will take all necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.” The statement comes after Trump’s announcement on Thursday to increase tariffs by 10% on Chinese goods, effective from March 4.
As part of the U.S. response to China’s involvement in the fentanyl trade, the new tariffs will be added to the 10% charges previously placed on Chinese goods earlier this month. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which are mostly made in China and Mexico, have been connected to tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the US each year.
China’s Ministry also urged the U.S. to refrain from repeating past mistakes, calling for a return to negotiations on an equal footing to resolve conflicts through dialogue. The timing of Trump’s announcement coincides with the start of China’s annual parliamentary meetings, raising further tensions. The United States is China’s largest single-country trading partner, and China’s exports have been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise sluggish economy.
China’s previous retaliatory measures, following the first round of tariffs in February, included raising duties on some U.S. energy imports and placing two U.S. companies on its unreliable entities list, potentially limiting their operations in China. China also imposed stricter controls on exports of critical minerals essential for U.S. industries.
The latest statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce carries a sharper tone than its earlier responses to the initial round of tariffs. It also addressed accusations that China is responsible for the fentanyl crisis, describing Trump’s claim as an attempt to “shift the blame” while failing to resolve the underlying issues in the U.S. drug problem. The ministry further criticised the proposed tariffs for their potential to increase burdens on American businesses and consumers while also disrupting global supply chains.
In a post on social media on Thursday, President Trump confirmed that the “April Second Reciprocal Tariff date will remain in full force and effect,” further solidifying his stance on the ongoing trade tensions.
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