Chinese Defense Forum 
- Jan 26, 2024
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If war is what US wants, be it tariff or… we're ready to fight’: China
3h•2 min read
‘If war is what US wants, be it tariff or… we're ready to fight’: China
Beijing: Giving a befitting reply to the United States, China on Tuesday stated that America is using tariffs on Chinese goods. "If war is what the US wants," be it a tariff or trade war, Beijing is ready to "fight till the end." The statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian came following a question asked by The New York Times. The news outlet asked for a reaction to the 10 percent tariff hike imposed on Chinese-made goods by the US.
"The fentanyl issue is a flimsy excuse to raise US tariffs on Chinese imports. Our countermeasures to defend our rights and interests are fully legitimate and necessary," Lin Jian said.
Lin Jian added that it is America and not anyone else responsible for the Fentanyl crisis in the country.
"In the spirit of humanity and goodwill towards the American people, we have taken robust steps to assist the US in dealing with the issue. Instead of recognizing our efforts, the US has sought to smear and shift blame to China, and is seeking to pressure and blackmail China with tariff hikes. They've been PUNISHING us for helping them. This is not going to solve the U.S.'s problem and will undermine our counternarcotics dialogue and cooperation," he said.
A Chinese spokesperson emphasized that intimidation and bullying are ineffective tactics against their country. They stated that using pressure, coercion, or threats is not an appropriate approach to engage with China. The spokesperson warned that those attempting to exert maximum pressure on China are making a mistake in their calculations. They suggested that if the United States genuinely seeks to address the fentanyl crisis, it should engage with China as equals. The spokesperson concluded by declaring that if the U.S. desires conflict be it a tariff war, trade war, or another form of confrontation China is prepared to respond vigorously.
Related video: Trump 2.0: Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs on India And China (WION)The remarks by the Chinese spokesperson comes after the Trump administration doubled the tariff on all Chinese imports to 20 per cent from 10 per cent, as per a report by CNN.
China retaliated on Tuesday by announcing 15 per cent tariffs on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton imports from the US, according to a statement from the State Council Tariff Commission. Additionally, a 10 per cent tariff on "sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products," was also imposed, it said.
Separately, China's Ministry of Commerce said it added 15 American companies, including drone maker Skydio, to its export control list, which would bar Chinese companies from exporting dual-use equipment to them, as per CNN.
Alfredo Montufar-Helu, director of the China Center for the Conference Board, stated that China's retaliatory tariffs were implemented with a "restrained, targeted strategy" designed to impact industries that are significant to Trump administration supporters. He also pointed out that these tariffs provide China with leverage for negotiations, which could help prevent the imposition of more severe tariffs in the future.
(With ANI agency)
