Listen To Story Above

China has escalated tensions with the United States by declaring its readiness for any form of conflict, following President Trump’s implementation of new tariffs.

Lin Jian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, issued a stark warning on Tuesday, stating “If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”

The hostile exchange intensified after Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%, citing the need to combat fentanyl trafficking into the United States. In response, China imposed its own 15% tariff on American agricultural products.

The Chinese embassy in Washington reinforced their position with Jian declaring, “Pressuring, coercion or threats are not the right way of dealing with China. Anyone using maximum pressure on China is picking the wrong guy and miscalculation.”

Trump’s tariff strategy extends beyond China, with 25% duties on Canadian and Mexican goods. He maintains these measures are necessary due to these nations’ perceived inadequate efforts to prevent fentanyl from entering the US.

Responding to the fentanyl allegations, China suggested that if the US is serious about addressing the issue, they should engage in respectful bilateral consultations. Jian defended their retaliatory measures, explaining that while China opposes such tariffs, they must “defend our rights and interests.”

During his Tuesday night address to Congress, Trump remained steadfast in his approach, stating, “other countries have used tariffs against us for decades” and “now it’s our turn to start using them against those other countries.”

Economic analysts anticipate price increases across various sectors, including food and automotive industries, as a consequence of these trade measures. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation estimates the tariffs will affect approximately $1.4 trillion worth of imports from Mexico, Canada, and China.

Further expanding his trade offensive, Trump revealed plans to implement agricultural tariffs beginning April 2, targeting European allies and Japan with “reciprocal” levies.