China Vows Strong Response to U.S. Tariff Threats Amid Trade Tensions

Wang Yi stresses China's commitment to counter U.S. pressures, highlighting the need for mutual cooperation instead of tariffs.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the media on Friday, asserting that Beijing would retaliate resolutely against the United States if it escalated the ongoing trade war through additional tariffs. This declaration came shortly after U.S. President Trump announced a suspension of tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, while continuing to impose them on Chinese products.

Wang emphasized that cooperation leads to mutual benefits, contrasting sharply with the U.S. pressure tactics. He suggested that the United States should seek internal solutions to its issues rather than imposing tariffs on China, particularly referencing the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

The foreign minister expressed his discontent with the perceived hypocrisy of the Trump administration, which publicly engages with Chinese President Xi Jinping but continues to implement punitive trade measures. He labeled this approach as “two-faced,” warning that such tactics would undermine stability and mutual trust in U.S.-China relations.

Wang’s remarks aimed to galvanize confidence in China’s economic prospects and attract foreign investment, which has seen a decline due to sluggish growth, stringent national security laws, and the handling of the Covid pandemic. His statements at the annual legislative session came at a crucial time, as China seeks to navigate its economic challenges while contending with external pressures.