China declares it will retaliate against the new US tariffs to the fullest extent.
Chinese experts believe that the imposition of new tariffs underscores the hegemonic mindset of the United States.
According to Global Times, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce announced they will take countermeasures to protect their rights and interests in response to recent statements by US President Donald Trump about increasing tariffs.
The White House officially announced a 104% tariff on Chinese goods starting April 9th, after Beijing refused to lift its retaliatory tariff measures.
In a statement published on its website on April 8, China's Ministry of Commerce said that China would resolutely take countermeasures to protect its rights and interests if the U.S. escalates its tariff measures.
Chinese experts believe that China could implement six measures to counter US tariffs, including significantly increasing tariffs on US agricultural products such as soybeans and sorghum; banning imports of US poultry; suspending China-US cooperation on fentanyl-related issues; imposing restrictions on trade in services with the US; reducing or banning imports of US films; and investigating intellectual property interests of US companies operating in China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing on April 8 that, given the ongoing actions, the U.S. does not seem serious about negotiating right now.
"If the U.S. truly wants to negotiate, they should show everyone that they are willing to treat others equally, respectfully, and for mutual benefit. If the U.S. decides to disregard its own interests, those of China and the rest of the world, and is determined to fight with tariffs and a trade war, then China's response will continue to this day," Lin Jian stated.
He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times: “Economic coercion and blackmail underscore Washington’s hegemonic mindset – seeking ‘America First’ and ‘American exceptionalism’ by forcing others to make sacrifices.”
This expert argues that the unilateral and protectionist behavior of the United States runs counter to the multilateral trade rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, and emphasizes that China's resolute countermeasures against US bullying are necessary to protect genuine multilateralism and maintain the multilateral trading system.
