The Chinese government on Saturday expressed strong condemnation of and firm opposition to the imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” by the United States.
In a statement over its position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs, it slammed the U.S. move as a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.
Under the guise of pursuing “reciprocity” and “fairness,” the U.S. is engaging in zero-sum games, essentially seeking “America First” and “American exceptionalism” in essence, it said.
The U.S. is exploiting tariffs to subvert the existing international economic and trade order, prioritizing U.S. interests above the global common good and sacrificing the legitimate interests of countries worldwide to serve America’s hegemonic agenda, said the statement.
“Such actions will inevitably face widespread opposition from the international community,” it added.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new set of levies, imposing 10 percent baseline tariffs on imports from all trading partners and higher rates on certain ones. Those “reciprocal tariffs” will take effect on April 5 and 9 respectively.
Following the U.S. move, China on Friday announced that it will impose additional 34 percent tariffs on all products imported from the U.S. starting from April 10, matching the rate of the U.S. “reciprocal tariffs” on Chinese imports.
China has taken and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests, said the Chinese government in Saturday’s statement.
It urged the U.S. to stop using tariffs as a weapon to suppress China’s economic growth, and stop undermining the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people.
