The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that while China does not seek a trade and tariff war with the United States, it will not back down if confronted with one.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the ministry, addressed the issue during a regular press briefing following the U.S. decision to impose a 125% tariff on imported Chinese products.
“Weaponizing tariffs to exert pressure for selfish gains seriously infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries,” Lin stated. “Such actions violate World Trade Organization rules, damage the multilateral trading system, and disrupt the stability of the global economic order.”
Lin emphasized that China’s necessary countermeasures against what he described as U.S. bullying are aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, as well as maintaining international fairness, justice, and the common interests of the global community.
“The U.S. approach does not win the support of the people and will ultimately fail,” he added.
Highlighting that no one wins in trade and tariff wars, Lin stressed that China will not sit idly by while the legitimate rights and interests of its people are compromised, or while international trade rules and systems are undermined.
“If the U.S. insists on pursuing a tariff and trade war, China will fight to the end,” Lin declared. He noted that the U.S. prioritizing its own interests at the expense of the international community and other nations’ legitimate rights will inevitably face stronger opposition globally.
