BEIJING (AFP) – China yesterday vowed to take “all necessary countermeasures” after United States (US) President Donald Trump said he would impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports – a decision Beijing warned would “seriously impact dialogue”.
Trump’s latest move will come into effect on Tuesday alongside sweeping 25 per cent levies on Canadian and Mexican imports, intensifying a brewing trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
The 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports will come on top of an existing levy of the same rate imposed by Trump on China earlier this month.
Trump had announced – then halted – sweeping 25 per cent levies on Canadian and Mexican imports this month over illegal immigration and deadly fentanyl, with Canadian energy to face a lower rate.
But the month-long pause ends on Tuesday.
Following reporters’ questions on whether he planned to proceed on the tariffs next week, Trump wrote on social media that until the problem of fentanyl stops “or is seriously limited”, the proposed levies will happen as scheduled.
“China will likewise be charged an additional 10 per cent tariff on that date,” he added, referring to March 4.
A spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry said yesterday the Chinese side will take all necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.
The statement also said that the tariff hike “is not conducive to solving (the US’) own problems”, adding that it would “increase the burden on American companies and consumers, and undermine the stability of the global industrial chain”.
Shortly after the statement was published, China’s Foreign Ministry warned that the new tariffs would “seriously impact dialogue” between the two countries, accusing Washington of “blackmail”.
“Pressure, coercion and threats are not the correct way to deal with China. Mutual respect is the basic premise,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily press conference.
China’s leadership will convene next week to hammer out plans to shield its economy from Trump’s threats.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she hoped to speak with Trump to avoid being hit by his threatened tariffs.
A high-level Mexican delegation is in Washington in search of an agreement.
And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said officials are working around the clock to avert US levies but would have an “immediate” response if measures were imposed next week.
Trudeau has repeatedly stressed that less than one per cent of the fentanyl and undocumented migrants that enter the US come through the Canadian border.
Trump’s threats have sent shivers through major exporter countries.
