CHINA says it’s ready for “any other type of war” after President Donald Trump launched his crippling trade tariffs.
The Republican’s new 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, along with fresh duties on Chinese goods – sparking trade wars that could slam economic growth.
AlamyA cargo container ship sails across Rambler Channel near Lantau Island[/caption]
AFPChina’s President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference[/caption]
ReutersPresident Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress on Tuesday[/caption]
In his first address to Congress in his second term, Trump said more crippling tariffs would follow in early April, including “reciprocal tariffs” and non-tariff actions aimed balancing out years of trade imbalances.
Citing high duties imposed on US goods by the EU and China among others, Trump said: “Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn”.
But China’s foreign affairs ministry shot back with a chilling warning.
It said: “If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”
The steep tariffs on the United States‘ three largest trading partners went into effect at 12:01 am on Tuesday – igniting a trade war that has seen swift retaliation measures from Canada and China.
On Tuesday, China responded to the tariffs by announcing 15 percent additional tariffs on key US farm products.
These include chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton from the US, as well as 10 percent tariffs on imports of sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, said the country will “fight till the end.”
“I want to reiterate that the Chinese people have never feared evil or ghosts, nor have we ever bowed to hegemony or bullying,” Jian said.
“Pressure, coercion and threats are not the right ways to engage with China.
“Trying to exert maximum pressure on China is miscalculation and a mistake.”
Trump‘s sweeping tariffs will have wide-ranging implications for American businesses and consumers.
US shoppers may soon encounter price increases on several categories of goods, including vehicles, clothing, toys and gadgets, and groceries and alcohol.
The United States gets 75% of its imported toys and sports equipment from China, which was penalized with 20% tariffs up from 10%.
Meanwhile, many cars sold in the United States are built largely in plants in either Canada or Mexico.
Trump defended his stance, writing in a Truth Social post, “If companies move to the United States, there are no tariffs!!!”
‘TRADE WAR LAUNCHED’
Canada‘s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau countered the Trump administration’s 25 per cent levies on Canadian imports by imposing 25 percent tariffs on American goods.
“Today, the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally and their closest friend,” Trudeau said in a press conference.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a news conference about the US tariffs against Canada on TuesdayAFP
AlamyA board with the words ‘PROUDLY CANADIAN’ seen in a business plaza in Oakville, Ontario, Canada[/caption]
APPresident Donald Trump smiles during a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February[/caption]
“At the same time, they’re talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying murderous dictator. Make that make sense.”
Trudeau said it’s been difficult to determine President Trump’s end goal in imposing tariffs and cautioned Canadians that the levy implications would be “tough.”
“This trade war hurts American families and Canadian families,” the prime minister said.
“Perhaps he wants to sink the Canadian economy, so that he can annex Canada.
“That’s never going to happen. We will never be the 51st state.”
Why has Trump hit China with tariffs?
DONALD Trump signed an executive order promising to hit Chinese imports to the US with a tariff of 10%. But, why did he propose the levies?
Trump believes China has not done enough to stop the production of chemicals used to make the drug fentanyl.
China has slammed Trump for the claim and described fentanyl as America’s problem.
The country also said the tariffs are a “serious violation” of the World Trade Organization rules.
China is therefore filing a lawsuit with the WTO against the US for “wrongful practice”.
China serves as a major supplier of auto parts to the US.
Phones and computers along with other key electronic devices were also in the top imports from China last year, according to Commerce Department Data.
In 2023, the US imported around $427 billion worth of products from China in total, according to the US Census Bureau.
Data reveals that 78% of all smartphones imported from the US came from China.
Trump’s tariff threat has sparked fears of price rises for fashion items and toys.
Beijing has responded by outlining its own tariffs on American goods, sparking fears of an all-out trade war between the two powerhouses.
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