China's Foreign Ministry's latest statement on the US imposing additional tariffs

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry Website

The Chinese Foreign Ministry website posted the content of a regular press conference chaired by spokesman Lin Jian on the evening of April 8.

At the press conference, a reporter from Türkiye's Anadolu Agency asked: "US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on China unless China cancels its retaliatory tariffs against the United States by April 8. How does China comment on this?"

“The US’s abuse of tariff measures has seriously infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, violated the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), undermined the rules-based multilateral trading system, and had a negative impact on the stability of the global economic order,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian. “This is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying, which is widely opposed by the international community. China deplores this and firmly rejects it.”

“Trade and tariff wars will have no winners, and protectionism has no way out. We Chinese are not troublemakers, but we will not back down when we are troubled. Threats, intimidation and blackmail are not the right way to engage with China. China will take necessary measures to resolutely defend its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. If the United States is determined to disregard the interests of itself, China and the rest of the world, and resolutely engages in a tariff and trade war, then China will respond to the end,” Mr. Lin Jian emphasized.

Also at this press conference, AFP reporters asked about measures that China can take to protect its rights and interests.

Regarding the question of AFP reporter, Mr. Lam Kiem stated: “We will not allow anyone to deprive the Chinese people of their legitimate right to development. We will not tolerate any plots to harm China's sovereignty, security and development interests. We will continue to take resolute and strong measures to protect our legitimate rights and interests.”

On April 2, Mr. Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs he plans to impose on trading partners that he believes are "taking advantage" of the United States.

Of which, China is subject to a 34% tax. This tax rate is combined with the 20% tax on all Chinese goods previously announced by the White House, raising the tariff barrier on goods from China to the US to 54%.

Beijing quickly responded by imposing a 34% tariff on US goods. On April 7, Mr. Trump threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff, raising the tariff barrier on Chinese goods to 104%, if Beijing did not remove the 34% tariff on US goods by April 8.

On April 8, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to Fox News that the US will begin collecting 104% tariffs on Chinese goods from April 9, after Beijing ignored President Donald Trump's deadline to lift retaliatory measures.

Press Secretary Leavitt confirmed this at a White House press briefing. Ms. Leavitt told reporters: "China was wrong to retaliate. When America is targeted, Mr. Trump will hit back harder. That is why the 104% tariff will go into effect on China at midnight tonight."

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/the-gioi/tuyen-bo-moi-nhat-cua-bo-ngoai-giao-trung-quoc-ve-viec-my-ap-thue-bo-sung-20250409084147015.htm