China called the US tariffs imposed on the country “groundless” and described it as unilateral bullying behaviour

Beijing: A spokesman for China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday (local time) that the US tariffs placed on the nation are “groundless” and constitute a unilateral bullying technique.

“China has noted that on April 7, Eastern Time, the US threatened to further impose 50% tariffs on China, which China firmly opposes,” a spokesman for China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement about US tariffs on China. China would adamantly adopt countermeasures to protect its own rights and interests if the US tariff escalation measures are put into effect.

The representative went on to say, “The United States’ alleged “reciprocal tariffs” on China are unjustified and a common form of unilateral bullying. China’s countermeasures are entirely legal and are intended to protect its interests in development, security, and sovereignty as well as to uphold the regular order of international commerce. The US has once again shown its blackmail character by making the mistake of threatening to increase tariffs on China. It will never be accepted in China. China would battle to the very end if the US persists on getting its way.

“There are no winners in a trade war and there is no way out for protectionism,” the official said, restating China’s position.

highlighting that dealing with China using “pressure and threats” is not the best course of action.

The spokesperson urged the US to “correct its wrong practices, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, stop suppressing China’s economy and trade, and properly resolve differences with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect.” The statement enumerated a number of US actions against China.

The comments follow US President Donald Trump’s April 7 ultimatum to halt all current negotiations with China and impose fresh, much higher tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing does not reverse a recent 34% retaliatory tariff rise.

The remarks were made in a post on his social media account, Truth Social, in the midst of growing market unrest throughout the globe brought on by a reciprocal tariff increase between the two biggest economies in the world. Trump said that China’s tariff hike was a clear breach of his previous warnings and that if it wasn’t revoked by Monday, there would be swift retaliation.

“China imposed 34% retaliatory tariffs yesterday, in addition to their already record-setting tariffs, non-monetary tariffs, illegal company subsidies, and massive long-term currency manipulation,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I warned that any country that retaliates against the United States by imposing additional tariffs, beyond their already existing long-term tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher tariffs, over and above those initially set,” Trump wrote.

Therefore, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs of 50 cents on China, commencing April 9th, unless China withdraws their 34-cent rise beyond its existing long-term trade abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025. We will also end any communication with China on their desired meetings with us! There will be an immediate start to negotiations with other nations who have also sought meetings. I appreciate you taking the time to consider this. Trump said on April 2 that tariffs will be applied to nations all across the globe.

Trump declared that the US will apply reciprocal tariffs, charging other nations the same duties they impose on American products, in February, shortly after assuming office for the second time. He also laid out a new trade strategy centred on fairness and reciprocity.

China (34 cent), the European Union (20 cent), Vietnam (46 cent), Taiwan (32 cent), Japan (24 cent), India (26 cent), the United Kingdom (10 cent), Bangladesh (37 cent), Pakistan (29 cent), Sri Lanka (44 cent), and Israel (17 cent) are the other major nations that are subject to import tariffs, according to the announcements.

Higher, customised tariffs will be applied to nations with the worst trade imbalances with the US starting on April 9.

Following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a fresh wave of tariffs, Asian financial markets saw a significant sell-off on Monday. As concerns about the effects of the tariffs on international commerce and economic expansion grew, the markets began with strong selling pressure.