China protested on Friday against the latest threat from US President Donald Trump, who plans to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. China accused the US of shifting the responsibility for the fentanyl crisis and promised retaliatory measures to protect its interests.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the country has one of the strictest anti-drug policies in the world and warned of the risks that new tariffs would bring to global supply chains.
Trump announced on Thursday that the tariffs of 25% on Mexican and Canadian goods would take effect on Tuesday, as well as the additional 10% tariffs on Chinese imports. He also said that his plan for comprehensive “reciprocal” tariffs, which affects countries and products worldwide, would take effect as planned on April 2.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington criticized the new tariffs and warned that there would be no winners in a trade war.
“The unilateral tariffs imposed by the US will neither solve their own problems nor benefit both sides or the world” said Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US. “China demands the US to correct its mistakes.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would respond to “unjustified tariffs” with a “strong, immediate and secure response.” He added that Canada would immediately impose tariffs on US imports worth $30 billion in response.
Last month, Beijing had attempted to find out if Trump was willing to negotiate a close trade agreement or a comprehensive agreement with China.
Chinese officials and government advisors have informally signaled that Beijing is willing to increase the import of US products to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries. Additionally, they have proposed that Chinese companies invest in the US and create up to 500,000 jobs in the country.