China’s Commerce Ministry has issued a firm response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports. On Wednesday, the ministry published an extraordinarily strong statement of protest against the proposed increases. Specifically, they claimed that these actions would further escalate the already heightened trade tensions between the two countries.
Tariffs have really emerged as a contentious issue. U.S. to escalate its trade war with China by imposing billions in new tariffs on Chinese imports. In response, China revealed a communist and draconian 34% tariff on all types of American goods. The Ministry’s statement emphasized that it “resolutely opposes” the U.S. approach and views these threats as a mistake compounding previous errors in trade policy.
“The U.S. threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake,” stated the Commerce Ministry. This announcement further signals China’s willingness to protect its national economic interest at home and abroad as tensions continue to escalate.
At the same time, China’s government is willing, and indeed eager, to take dramatic action. They are reacting against what they believe are unfair retaliatory actions taken by the U.S. At this point, the Ministry seems prepared to show some leadership. It will “fight to the end” if the United States continues down this dangerously confrontational path. It expressed its intent to protect its “legitimate rights and interests” from all future escalatory trade actions.
The Commerce Ministry’s message was unambiguous — China will not be intimidated by U.S. bluster. They are not, however, afraid to respond with appropriate countermeasures. These measures are meant to enhance China’s economic sovereignty and protect stability in its trading partners.
Continued trade negotiations between China and the United States opened the door for these changes. They set out to achieve landmark resolutions to critical trade conflicts that have roiled international markets and created uncertainty for months on end. The tariffs that both countries have raised on each other’s goods, approximately $300 billion worth from both sides, have already made their mark.
International observers are understandably alarmed by the deepening trade war. They worry that it is still posing great risks to global economic stability. As tensions reach a boiling point, many analysts are holding their breath. They are particularly concerned about further escalation and looking for indications of how the situation may be resolved.