The US President has been accused of blackmail by Biejing and China has said they will “fight to the end” over Donald Trump’s tariffs war.
Trump has threatened Biejing with 104% tariffs and China has said they will “resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its own rights and interests.”
The Health Secretary Wes Streeting issued a warning and told LBC Radio, “We are certainly going to get caught up if there is trade war.”
The Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement that America’s “so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs” on China is “completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice.”
The Ministry added, “The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order. They are completely legitimate.
“The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US. China will never accept this. If the US insists on its own way, China will fight to the end.”
Trump has hit back at Beijing and warned unless China removes the 34% increase on counter tariffs then he will add a further 50% on levies.
Trump blasted on Truth Social, “If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th.
“Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!”
Should the US President add the further 50% on China, this will total a whopping 104% on tariffs.
“If the tariffs keep going up and up, it becomes a battle of wills and principles rather than economics,” said Xu Tianchen, senior economist for China at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
“Since China already faces a tariff rate in excess of 60%, it doesn’t matter if it goes up by 50% or 500%,” he added.
