China has vowed to “fight to the end” in response to President Donald Trump’s threat to impose additional 50% tariffs on Chinese imports. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce accused the US of “blackmail” and stated that China’s leaders will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard their rights and interests .
The trade tensions between the US and China escalated after Trump announced tariffs of 10-50% on various trading partners, including a 34% tariff on Chinese goods. China retaliated with a reciprocal 34% tariff on US imports. Trump’s latest threat aims to further increase tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing doesn’t reverse its measures.
China’s commerce ministry has made it clear that they will not back down, stating, “China will fight to the end if the US side is bent on going down the wrong path.” The ministry also emphasized that their countermeasures are legitimate and aimed at protecting China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests .
The escalating trade war has raised concerns about its potential impact on global markets. Stock markets from Tokyo to New York have become increasingly unstable as the tariff war worsens. Experts predict that the trade tensions could lead to a financially destructive trade war.
Gabriel Wildau, a managing director at Teneo, believes that China is prepared for a protracted economic war of attrition. He notes that China’s leaders are convinced that their efforts to reduce reliance on the US have made their economy resilient to the trade war ⁵.
