Donald Trump has criticized China for disregarding his ‘warning for abusing countries not to retaliate’ against the newly imposed US tariffs.
On April 2, Trump introduced significant tariffs on goods from various countries, calling it ‘Liberation Day’ for America, and claiming it will be ‘remembered as the day the American industry was reborn’.
The new tariffs include a 25 percent charge on all foreign-made automobiles and a base 10 percent tariff on imports from all countries except those compliant with the USMCA free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. Non-compliant countries face a 25 percent tariff, with UK imports taxed at 10 percent, and EU goods at a 20 percent tariff.
Some countries labeled as ‘worst offenders’ were subjected to reciprocal tariffs as well, with China facing a hefty 54 percent tariff.
Despite Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent cautioning countries against retaliation, China responded by imposing a 34 percent tariff on US goods starting April 10.
A ministry of commerce spokesperson stated that China is also pursuing legal action against the US tariffs by filing a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO), asserting that Trump’s tariffs ‘seriously violate WTO rules’ and ‘undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order’.
Trump retaliated by expressing his primary concern for the US impact rather than the global economy on Truth Social.
He wrote: “Oil prices are down, interest rates are down (the slow-moving Fed should cut rates!), food prices are down, there is NO INFLATION, and the long-time abused USA is bringing in Billions of Dollars a week from the abusing countries on Tariffs that are already in place.
“This is despite the fact that the biggest abuser of them all, China, whose markets are crashing, just raised its Tariffs by 34 percent, on top of its long-term ridiculously high Tariffs (Plus!), not acknowledging my warning for abusing countries not to retaliate.
He continued: “They’ve made enough, for decades, taking advantage of the Good OL’ USA! Our past “leaders” are to blame for allowing this, and so much else, to happen to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Foreign affairs spokesman Lin Jian criticized the US for its latest tariff measures, telling reporters that the US prioritizing itself ‘over international rules is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying’.
He argued that the tariffs could disrupt global supply chains and significantly hinder the world’s economic recovery, stating: “Pressure and threats are not the way to deal with China. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”