China Condemns US Tariffs, Vows Retaliation & WTO Complaint

Beijing denounces Trump’s 10% tariff on Chinese goods, calls it a violation of WTO rules, and promises countermeasures.

Beijing, February 2 – The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the United States’ decision to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, calling it a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Beijing vowed to take countermeasures to protect its economic interests, including filing a lawsuit with the WTO.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued a firm statement on Sunday, expressing “strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition” to the tariffs.

“The US has levied a 10% additional tariff on Chinese imports under the pretext of the fentanyl issue. China firmly deplores and opposes this move and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests,” the statement read.

China: “Tariff Wars Have No Winners”

Beijing dismissed Washington’s tariff hikes as ineffective and damaging to both economies.

“Trade and tariff wars have no winners. The US’s unilateral tariff hikes severely violate WTO rules and will not solve its domestic issues. More importantly, this move does not benefit either side or the world economy,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated.

China also criticized the US’s decision to link trade tariffs with the fentanyl crisis, arguing that Beijing has already taken strict measures to curb the trafficking of the drug.

“China has one of the strictest drug control policies in the world. In fact, at the US’s request, China became the first country in 2019 to officially classify the entire fentanyl substance group,” the statement added.

China’s Planned Response: WTO Case and Trade Retaliation

🔹 WTO Complaint – China will file a formal lawsuit against the US over its “wrongful practices”.
🔹 Retaliatory Tariffs – Beijing hinted at imposing its own tariffs on American goods.
🔹 Economic Countermeasures – The Chinese government will explore trade and investment restrictions against the US.

“We urge the United States to correct its erroneous practices, engage in candid dialogue, and strengthen cooperation based on equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit,” China’s statement said.

US Justification: National Security and Drug Control

The tariffs were part of a broader trade policy announcement by US President Donald Trump, who also imposed:
🔹 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada
🔹 10% tariffs on Chinese goods

Trump justified the move by citing illegal immigration and the fentanyl crisis.

“Today, I have implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy) and a 10% tariff on China. This was done under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs, including fentanyl,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

During his election campaign, Trump had threatened tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese imports, though he has chosen to study the issue further before taking additional action.

Conclusion: Escalating US-China Trade Tensions

With China vowing retaliation and filing a WTO case, tensions between Washington and Beijing are expected to escalate. The latest tariff war could have significant economic consequences, potentially leading to further restrictions on global trade.

As both nations brace for the next phase of this economic standoff, the question remains: Will diplomacy prevail, or will the trade war intensify?