- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 10 Apr 2025 02:08 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
As US President Donald Trump pushes forward with a proposed 125 per cent tariff hike on Chinese goods, China has responded with stern warnings and a vow to resist what it calls “economic bullying.” Beijing made clear it will not yield under pressure and has accused the United States of undermining global trade norms.
At a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian strongly criticised Trump’s tariff move, saying it “goes against the whole world” and will “seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system.” Lin added, “The US cause doesn't win the support of the people and will end in failure.” He emphasised that China would not passively accept the move: “China will not sit back and let the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be deprived.”
China Calls For Respectful Dialogue
China’s commerce ministry also weighed in, urging the US to seek dialogue instead of confrontation. Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian called for negotiations “based on mutual respect and conducted in an equal manner.”
While reiterating China’s openness to talks, she warned, “Pressure, threats, and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China.” She added that if the US insists on unilateral moves, China will “follow through to the end.”
ALSO READ: White House Sends Stern Message After Trump’s Tariff Shift: ‘Don’t Retaliate, You’ll Be Rewarded’
US Shipbuilding Claims Rejected
Responding to Trump’s executive order targeting China’s dominance in the global shipping industry, China dismissed US claims that Chinese policies were responsible for the decline of American shipbuilding. “These accusations have no factual basis,” said Lin Jian, pointing to American studies that show the US lost its competitive advantage in shipbuilding years ago. The executive order signed by Trump aims to revive the US shipbuilding sector and reduce China’s grip on key global supply chains.