Tensions between the United States and China have escalated this week, with the US president announcing a doubling of tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%. The move was attributed to China’s perceived lack of action in addressing the flow of fentanyl into the US.
China’s foreign ministry responded swiftly, condemning the US decision in strong terms. A ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, stated on the Xinhua platform that the fentanyl issue was a pretext for the US to increase tariffs on Chinese imports and that China’s countermeasures were legitimate and necessary to defend its rights and interests.
The spokesperson denied China’s involvement in the fentanyl crisis in the US, attributing the responsibility to the US alone. However, China had taken energetic steps to support the US in addressing the issue, as a gesture of goodwill to the US people.
Instead of acknowledging China’s efforts, the US had attempted to defame China and shift the blame, said the spokesperson. The US was trying to coerce China through tariffs and put it under pressure, rather than addressing the issue through dialogue.
The Chinese foreign ministry official expressed outrage that the US was punishing China for its efforts to help and that the problem would not be solved by the US’s approach, which would only undermine the joint fight against drug trafficking. China would not be intimidated and would not be swayed by the US’s tactics of intimidation, coercion and pressure.
As a response to the US’s tariffs and trade measures, China announced a series of retaliatory tariffs on Tuesday, including 15% on chicken, wheat, corn and cotton and 10% on soybeans, pork, beef, fish and aquatic products, as well as dairy products and fruits and vegetables, effective from March 10.