In response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the Chinese embassy in the US declared its willingness to “fight till the end” in any war the US initiates, including trade conflicts. Trump criticized global tariffs placed on the US, asserting that countries like China and India impose much higher tariffs than the US. His administration increased tariffs on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%, prompting China to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization. Beijing accused the US of using the fentanyl crisis as a pretext for tariffs, asserting that US actions reflect bullying tactics rather than constructive cooperation.
New Delhi:
In a pointed response to US President Donald Trump’s claims regarding reciprocal tariffs, the Chinese embassy in the US stated that Beijing is prepared to “fight till the end” in any conflict the US wishes to engage in. “If conflict is what the US desires, whether it be a tariff war, a trade war, or any other form of conflict, we’re ready to fight until the very end,” the official account of the Chinese embassy posted on X following Trump’s incendiary remarks during a joint session at Congress.
If conflict is what the U.S. desires, whether it be a tariff war, a trade war, or any other form of conflict, we are prepared to fight till the very end. https://t.co/crPhO02fFE
— Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) March 5, 2025
Trump remarked that other nations have imposed tariffs on the US for many years. “Now it’s our turn to start applying them against these other countries. On average, the European Union, China, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Canada. Have you heard of them? Additionally, various other nations are imposing significantly higher tariffs on us than we do on them. It’s simply unjust. India levies auto tariffs exceeding 100% on us. China’s average tariff on our goods is double what we charge them. Furthermore, South Korea’s average tariff is quadruple what we apply,” he said.
“This practice is occurring from both friends and foes. This system has never been equitable for the United States… This fosters reciprocal taxation. Whatever they impose on us, we will reciprocate,” he mentioned.
Trump has increased the previously imposed 10 percent tariffs on Chinese products to 20 percent. China has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the US.
“The unilateral taxation measures by the United States egregiously violate WTO regulations and jeopardize the foundation of economic and trade cooperation between China and the US,” stated Beijing’s commerce ministry in an official release.
While implementing the tariffs, Trump accused China of insufficient action to stop the influx of fentanyl and other potent opioids into the US.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has disputed this assertion. “The fentanyl issue is a weak justification for increasing US tariffs on Chinese imports. The responsibility for the #FentanylCrisis within the US lies solely with the US. In a gesture of humanity and goodwill toward the American people, we have taken significant measures to aid the US in addressing this issue. Instead of recognizing our contributions, the US has sought to defame and shift blame to China while attempting to coerce and blackmail China with tariff increases,” it expressed in a statement.
“They’ve been PUNISHING us for assisting them. This will not resolve the US’s challenges and will impair our counternarcotics discussions and collaboration. Intimidation does not intimidate us. Bullying is ineffective against us. Coercion, pressure, or threats are not appropriate methods for engaging with China. Anyone trying to apply maximum pressure on China is misjudging the situation and making an error. If the US genuinely wishes to address the fentanyl crisis, treating each other as equals and consulting with China would be the proper approach,” it concluded.