China has strongly rebuked the United States over escalating trade tensions, urging Washington to halt what it described as “threatening and blackmailing” tactics, following a fresh wave of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.
The diplomatic warning came after Trump declared it was up to Beijing to return to the negotiating table to end the protracted trade war. His administration recently slapped tariffs of up to 145 percent on Chinese imports, prompting retaliatory measures from China, which imposed levies as high as 125 percent on American goods.
“If the US truly wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and engage in talks based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.
The US escalation marks one of the highest tariff increases in years, with some products now facing cumulative tariffs of 245 percent. Trump initially introduced 20 percent duties targeting China’s alleged involvement in the fentanyl supply chain. This was followed by an additional 125 percent in response to what the US described as unfair trade practices.
Beijing responded through its commerce ministry, condemning Washington’s use of tariffs as irrational and weaponized. “The United States has instrumentalised and weaponised tariffs to an utterly irrational level,” it stated, dismissing the tariff hikes as a “meaningless numbers game.”
Despite the trade strain, China reported a 5.4 percent economic growth in the first quarter of 2025, outpacing forecasts as exporters rushed to beat impending tariffs. Economists warn, however, that the latest round of levies could impact second-quarter performance, with US firms seeking alternative suppliers and reduced investment in Chinese markets.
In related developments, Japan and South Korea signaled intentions to manage the fallout. Japanese envoy Ryosei Akazawa expressed hope for a “win-win” resolution during talks in Washington. Meanwhile, South Korean Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok emphasized ongoing negotiations aimed at delaying reciprocal tariffs and reducing uncertainty for global markets.
US exemptions remain in place for certain tech products, such as smartphones and laptops. Nevertheless, chip manufacturers across Asia have seen stocks dip following Nvidia’s forecast of a $5.5 billion hit due to new US licensing restrictions.
As the economic standoff intensifies, global markets remain watchful of further developments, with fears mounting over a possible ripple effect that could trigger a broader global recession.
