China Vows Countermeasures After Trump Threatens Additional 50% Tariff
Beijing, April 8: China on Tuesday warned of “resolute countermeasures” after former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports, escalating concerns of a renewed trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
In a strongly worded statement, China’s Commerce Ministry slammed Trump’s remarks as a “typical unilateral bullying practice,” asserting that the so-called reciprocal tariffs being proposed by the U.S. are “completely groundless.”
“The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order. They are completely legitimate,” the ministry said.
It further warned that “China will never accept this. If the U.S. insists on its own way, China will fight to the end.”
Trump’s warning, posted on his Truth Social account on Monday, stated that unless China withdraws its “34% increase above their already long-term trading abuses” by April 8, 2025, the United States would impose additional 50% tariffs starting April 9. He also announced that ongoing trade talks with China would be terminated if no action was taken.
The latest exchange marks a sharp escalation in rhetoric, reviving fears of an intensified trade conflict that could impact global markets. The Chinese ministry did not detail what specific countermeasures would be taken but signaled that Beijing was prepared to act swiftly.
This standoff follows recent retaliatory tariffs by China in response to earlier measures introduced by Washington, highlighting persistent tensions over trade, market access, and technology transfers.
