China has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring its readiness to fight “any type” of war as tensions escalate over trade tariffs. The statement comes in response to former President Donald Trump’s decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, prompting China to retaliate with 15% tariffs on American agricultural goods.
The Chinese embassy in Washington reinforced Beijing’s stance via a post on X, stating: “If war is what the US wants—be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war—we’re ready to fight till the end.” This sentiment echoes an earlier statement from China’s foreign ministry, which vowed to resist US economic pressure “to the bitter end.”
Meanwhile, China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget for the year, matching last year’s growth. The hike, detailed in a government report, surpasses China’s economic growth target of approximately 5%. Since Xi Jinping assumed the presidency in 2013, the country’s defense budget has surged from 720 billion yuan to 1.78 trillion yuan (£191.5 billion) in 2024. President Xi aims to complete military modernization by 2035, expanding China’s arsenal with advanced missiles, ships, submarines, and surveillance technology.
Trump justified the latest tariff hikes by blaming China for the fentanyl crisis in the US, alleging that a “large percentage” of the synthetic opioid originates from China. Beijing rejected the accusation, calling it “blackmail” and insisting it has some of the world’s strictest anti-drug policies. China’s foreign ministry responded defiantly: “Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressure, coercion, or threats are not the right way to deal with China.”
During his address to Congress, Trump defended his tariff strategy, asserting that the US has long been at a disadvantage in global trade. “China’s average tariff on our products is twice what we charge them,” he claimed. The Chinese commerce ministry countered by accusing Washington of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, noting that Beijing had already filed a formal complaint against the US.
US-China trade relations deteriorated significantly during Trump’s first presidency, with a two-year trade war disrupting global supply chains after he imposed tariffs on Beijing in 2018. While relations briefly improved under President Joe Biden, Trump’s renewed tariff measures have reignited tensions.
The US State Department has reiterated its stance on China, stating that Washington is focused on “deterring China’s aggression, combating unfair trade policies, countering malicious cyber activities, and ending China’s global trafficking of fentanyl precursors.”
As the economic battle between the two superpowers intensifies, the global economy braces for further instability.
