China has issued a stern warning to countries negotiating tariff exemptions with the United States, vowing to retaliate against any deals made at its expense.
The statement from Beijing comes amid escalating tensions in the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Following reports that the US plans to pressure nations to curtail trade with China in exchange for exemptions to American tariffs, a spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry declared: “China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests. If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures.”
The Trump administration has launched a series of high-stakes talks with trading partners, including Japan and South Korea, aimed at renegotiating trade relationships. Vice President JD Vance is also expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week, as India faces a possible 26% US tariff unless a deal is struck.
President Trump has defended the aggressive tariff policy, arguing it will boost American manufacturing and encourage consumers to “buy American.” However, critics argue that restoring industrial capacity domestically will take years and cause short-term economic disruption.
China, for its part, has responded with its own suite of tariffs — as high as 125% — and has warned that it will “fight to the end” if provoked further.
With global markets already rattled by the growing dispute, observers fear that the US-China trade war could soon drag in major economies around the world, forcing nations into a high-stakes balancing act.
