BEIJING – The Chinese government has strongly condemned the administration of President Donald Trump for imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, announcing plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and take countermeasures. However, Beijing remains open to negotiations to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
In a joint statement issued today, China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Commerce declared their intention to file a complaint with the WTO and implement retaliatory measures, though they did not specify the details. The move comes in response to President Trump’s executive order, signed on Saturday, which mandates a 10% tariff on Chinese imports effective February 4, Eastern Time. Trump justified the measure by citing the need for China to curb the flow of fentanyl, a potent painkiller and narcotic, into the United States.
China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that the U.S. decision constitutes a serious violation of international trade regulations and urged Washington to engage in sincere negotiations to strengthen bilateral cooperation. However, analysts from Reuters noted that China often uses WTO complaints as a symbolic move, referencing previous cases such as its challenge against the European Union’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
Meanwhile, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated in recent weeks that no one benefits from a trade war. Today, it responded to the U.S. claims regarding fentanyl by asserting that the issue is a domestic problem for the United States. The ministry emphasized that China has actively cooperated with the U.S. in anti-drug efforts with significant success. (TNA)
