Emmanuel OchayiChina has declared its readiness to engage in any trade conflict with the United States following Washington’s decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports. This announcement comes as tensions between the two economic giants escalate, with each side imposing new trade restrictions.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%, a move that prompted immediate retaliation from Beijing. In response, China imposed 15% tariffs on American agricultural products, further deepening the trade dispute.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelChina’s Warning to the U.S.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Chinese Embassy in Washington made its position clear. “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,” the statement read. This strong warning highlights Beijing’s stance against what it sees as economic aggression from the U.S.
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China has consistently opposed U.S. tariffs, arguing that such measures harm both economies. The recent tariff hike by Washington is seen by Beijing as an act of provocation, leading to a firm response from Chinese officials.
U.S.-China Trade War and the Fentanyl Issue
The embassy also linked the tariff issue to the ongoing fentanyl crisis, accusing the U.S. of using the crisis as a justification for its economic policies. It argued that Washington’s approach is not about solving the fentanyl problem but rather about exerting pressure on China.
“If the U.S. truly wants to solve the fentanyl issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China by treating each other as equals,” the statement said. Beijing insisted that it has taken significant steps to help the U.S. manage the crisis but believes Washington is unfairly blaming China instead of addressing its own internal challenges.
China Rejects Pressure from the U.S.
The embassy criticized the U.S. for what it described as coercion and intimidation. “Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressuring, coercion, or threats are not the right way of dealing with China,” the statement emphasised.
Beijing sees Washington’s trade policies as an attempt to weaken China’s economy while ignoring the global consequences. By increasing tariffs, the U.S. risks disrupting supply chains and raising costs for American consumers and businesses.
China has vowed to defend its economic interests, saying it will not give in to threats. “Anyone using maximum pressure on China is picking the wrong guy and miscalculating,” the embassy warned.
Canada Joins the Tariffs Battle
As the U.S.-China trade conflict intensifies, other countries are also feeling the impact. On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new tariffs on U.S. imports in response to Washington’s trade measures.
Canada imposed 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods, following the U.S.’s decision to increase levies on products from Canada and Mexico. Trudeau made the announcement on X, stating, “The moment U.S. tariffs came into effect this morning, so did the Canadian response.”
He explained that Canada would immediately target $30 billion worth of U.S. goods, with the remaining $125 billion to follow in three weeks. This move signals Canada’s unwillingness to accept the U.S.’s aggressive trade policies without taking action.
The Global Impact of U.S. Tariffs
The ongoing tariff battle between the U.S. and its trade partners has raised concerns about global economic stability. Higher tariffs lead to increased costs for businesses and consumers, affecting economic growth worldwide.
China’s firm stance against the U.S. tariffs shows that the trade war is far from over. As Washington continues to push its trade policies, Beijing has made it clear that it will respond with equal force. The coming months will reveal whether both sides can reach a resolution or if the tariff war will escalate further.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
