BEIJING — China is firmly responding to the recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. under the Trump administration.
Shortly after the implementation of a 10% tariff on U.S. goods, China announced a series of countermeasures set to take effect on February 10. These include a 15% tariff on American coal and liquefied natural gas, alongside a 10% tariff on crude oil, farm equipment, and certain vehicles.
In an official statement, the Chinese finance ministry criticized the U.S. tariffs as a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, asserting that they disrupt normal trade relations between the two nations.
In a separate move, China’s market regulator launched an anti-monopoly investigation into a major U.S. corporation and announced new export controls on several rare metals, including tungsten, indium, and molybdenum. These developments come without direct links to the tariffs announced by the U.S.
Moreover, China placed two U.S. companies—PVH Group and Illumina, Inc.—on its “unreliable entity” list for allegedly violating market principles against Chinese firms, although the recent tariff measures were not referenced in this context.
President Trump enacted these tariffs as part of a broader strategy aimed at Mexico, Canada, and China, pressuring these nations to halt the influx of migrants and illegal drugs, including fentanyl, into the U.S. Tariffs against Mexico and Canada have been temporarily suspended pending further negotiations that enhance border security.
Notably, China remains a key supplier of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production, and Beijing has stated it is committed to curbing the opioid crisis affecting America. Following the tariff announcements, Chinese officials warned of potential setbacks in future cooperation and announced intentions to contest these tariffs at the WTO.
Furthermore, President Trump hinted at possible increases to the tariffs on China, signaling ongoing tensions in the trade relationship. White House representatives indicated that Trump is scheduled to converse with Chinese leader Xi Jinping imminently.
