China Vows ‘Countermeasures’ Against Sweeping New US Tariffs

AFP/APP

Beijing: China on Thursday strongly opposed the sweeping new US tariffs on its exports, vowing to take “countermeasures” to protect its rights and interests.

US President Donald Trump has sparked a potentially damaging global trade war by imposing 10 percent tariffs on imports worldwide, with even harsher duties on key trading partners.

Notably, China faces particularly steep tariffs of 34 percent, making it one of the most affected countries.

In a statement, China’s commerce ministry denounced the tariffs, saying they “do not comply with international trade rules and seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant parties.”

The ministry urged Washington to “immediately cancel” the measures, warning that they “endanger global economic development,” negatively impacting US interests and international supply chains.

China also accused the United States of engaging in “typical unilateral bullying practices.” These new tariffs follow a 20 percent duty imposed last month.

At a weekly briefing on Thursday, the commerce ministry criticized Washington’s “protectionism and bullying” but confirmed that both sides were “maintaining communication” on trade and economic disputes.

Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry warned that protectionism offers no “exit ramp” and highlighted broad international opposition to the US measures.

In response to previous US tariffs, China had imposed levies of up to 15 percent on various US agricultural goods, including soybeans, pork, and chicken.

Chen Wenling, chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges in Beijing, told AFP that Beijing could potentially impose export controls on critical and rare minerals to the United States in retaliation.

“The United States has become a high-tariff nation, and its status as the flagbearer of free trade has diminished,” Chen remarked.