The China-United States trade war took a turn for the worse as Beijing slapped 125% tariffs on US imports effective early Saturday.
China’s 125% tariffs on US imports took effect after the Trump administration raised tariffs to 145% on Chinese imports. However, Beijing has said it will no longer raise tariffs even if the US takes further steps.
US President Donald Trump has rocked global markets with his “reciprocal tariffs,” claiming Beijing was “abusing” trade practices with the US.
While Trump decided to pause the imposition of tariffs for 90 days, the US still pushed through with its 145% tariff on Chinese imports.
In a video statement, posted by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on X, the Chinese president, apparently speaking at an event, said the Chinese people have never bullied, oppressed, or subjected the people of any other country, and never will.
Chinese President Xi Jinping also warned never to underestimate the strong resolve of the 1.4 billion Chinese people to defend their interests.
“By the same token we will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress or subjugate us,” Xi said without naming the US or Trump, who started the trade war with Beijing.
“Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people,” Xi also said.
China has also filed a fresh lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the Trump administration’s latest tariff hikes, according to the country’s Commerce Ministry.
Meanwhile, there are analysts who said that Trump’s imposition of higher reciprocal tariffs was meant to make the trading partners of the United States to go to the negotiating table.
