China: In a bold response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s impending tariffs, China has declared its readiness for a full-scale trade war. The Chinese Embassy in Washington stated on X (formerly Twitter), “If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”
Trump’s comments on Tuesday, during his first joint address to Congress since his inauguration, included a firm pledge to impose reciprocal tariffs on several nations, including China and India, starting April 2. He criticized the tariffs that other countries, such as China, Brazil, and the European Union, impose on U.S. goods, describing them as “unfair.”
In retaliation, China is preparing to implement a 15% tariff on a range of U.S. agricultural products, including chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, beginning next week. Additionally, a 10% tariff will be imposed on soybeans, pork, beef, and various fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, Canada has also responded by imposing its own tariffs on U.S. imports.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, in response to Trump’s actions, imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. products, beginning with $30 billion worth of goods, and warned that the tariffs could escalate further. Trudeau described the U.S.’s actions as the start of a “trade war” that would ultimately harm American families. He also criticized Trump’s foreign policy, contrasting his interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin with the decision to impose tariffs on Canada, a close ally. Trudeau emphasized Canada’s commitment to challenging these tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming they violated the free trade agreement between the two nations.
As the situation escalates, both China and Canada are taking measures to counter the economic impact of the U.S.’s new trade policies, signaling a prolonged and intense trade conflict.
