China said it will not tolerate any attempt to harm its sovereignty, security and development interests.
By Kehinde Okeowo
China has made it clear that the decision of United States President, Donald Trump to further jack up US tariff rate on Chinese goods will not make it back down on its retaliatory tariffs.
The Asian super power made this known on Tuesday via a post it shared on social media platform X.
Prior to this development, China had placed 34% tariffs on U.S. imports after Trump’s last week announcement of varying retaliatory tariffs which affects about 60 countries.
Following the development, President Trump approved an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports after the earlier imposed tariffs of 20% and 34% took effect.
The White House, later announced that the rate on China will rise to 104% from 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
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Reacting to the trade war via a statement posted online, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the Trump administration of handling the trade face-off with intimidation, threat and blackmail.
It also noted that the Chinese are not troublemakers, but added that the country will not back away when trouble comes.
“Intimidation, threat and blackmail are not the right way to engage with China,” it reads. “We will not let anyone take away the Chinese people’s legitimate right to development.” the statement read.
The ministry speaking through its spokesperson, further vowed that China will not tolerate any attempt to harm the country’s sovereignty, security and development interests.
“The U.S. doesn’t seem to be serious about having talks right now. If the U.S. truly wants to talk, it should let people see that they’re ready to treat others with equality, respect and mutual benefit,”
“If the U.S. decides not to care about the interests of the U.S. itself, China and the rest of the world, and is determined to fight a tariff/trade war, China’s response will continue to the end,” the ministry added.
