China requires the end of Trump’s tariffs and promises countermeasures

China demanded on Thursday (3) the immediate cancellation of the tariffs imposed by the United States and said it will adopt “resolutions” contracted if Donald Trump’s government maintains the new commercial policy. Beijing’s response occurs after the White House announced, the day before, an executive order that institutes up to 54% tariffs on Chinese products, on the argument of “reciprocity.”

In an official statement, the China Ministry of Commerce stated that it “firmly opposes” the measures and condemned what it called the practice of “unilateral intimidation”.

“History shows that increased tariffs cannot solve the problems of the US itself. This harms US interests and endangers global economic development, as well as the stability of the industrial chain and supply,” said a portforther’s spokesman.

The new US tariff policy establishes a 10% “minimum base tariff” on all imports. For countries with which the US maintains higher commercial deficits, the rate is even higher. In the case of China, exports are now taxed at 34%, in addition to 20% already in force, totaling a total load of 54% over Chinese products.

For the Chinese government, the initiative ignores the agreements signed in decades of multilateral negotiations and violates the rules of the World Trade Organization. “The US has determined the so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ based on a subjective and unilateral assessment that is not in accordance with the rules of international trade,” said the ministry spokesman, adding that the measure “severely impairs the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant parties.”

The tariff offensive was presented by Trump at Rose Garden of the White House, accompanied by a chart that justified the new charges based on commercial barriers allegedly imposed by countries such as China, Japan, European Union and India. The US President claims that the new fares will help generate revenue and reindustrialize the United States.

Beijing countered the accusations. “There is no winner in a trade war, and protectionism leads nowhere,” said the Ministry of Commerce. The government also pointed out that the US has benefited from international trade for decades, and that disregarding the built balance over the years is a dangerous and isolationist strategy.

In addition to China, other countries have already signaled opposition to the measure. Japan warned that investments from its companies in the US may be affected. The European Union has announced that it prepares a joint response.

Brazil, in turn, approved a bill that authorizes retaliation, with the support of different sectors of the government’s parliamentary base.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any country that retaliates tariffs will suffer even more severe sanctions. “If you retaliate, there will be a climb. If you do not retaliate, this is the highlight,” he said, in a statement interpreted as a message to business partners so that they do not challenge the new US commercial doctrine.