Key Points:
- China has signaled its readiness to confront the U.S. in any type of conflict, including economic and trade disputes, as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Beijing.
- The Chinese Embassy in the U.S. stated, “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.”
- Beijing has dismissed Washington’s justification for tariffs related to fentanyl as a “flimsy excuse.”
China has reaffirmed its preparedness to confront the United States as tensions between the two economic superpowers continue to rise. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. declared its willingness to resist American pressure in all forms, highlighting an increasingly assertive approach in its foreign policy.
This declaration follows the imposition of additional U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. As of Tuesday, the Trump administration enacted a further 10% tariff increase, bringing the total tariffs imposed in the past month to 20%.
“If the U.S. has other agendas in mind and if harming China’s interests is the goal, we are ready to fight till the end,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated on Wednesday. “We urge the U.S. to abandon its domineering stance and return to the path of dialogue and cooperation.”
China’s Retaliation and Strategic Countermeasures
In response to the new U.S. tariffs, Beijing announced retaliatory measures on Tuesday, including additional tariffs of up to 15% on select American goods, effective March 10. China has also introduced new export restrictions on specific U.S. entities.
When questioned about China’s strong rhetoric, U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth told Fox News on Wednesday that while the U.S. does not seek conflict, it remains prepared for any escalation.
“We live in a dangerous world with powerful, ascendant countries that have vastly different ideologies,” Hegseth stated. “To deter war with China or any other adversary, we must remain strong.”
China’s countermeasures, including tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports, are strategically aimed at increasing political pressure on President Trump from American farmers—a key Republican voter base. The most affected product, soybeans, faces a new 10% tariff, a move reminiscent of the last U.S.-China trade war when Chinese importers shifted their soybean purchases to Brazil and Argentina.
Economic Ramifications and Beijing’s Strategy
With the latest U.S. tariffs threatening China’s export sector—a crucial element of its slowing economy—Beijing has hinted at plans to deploy monetary and fiscal policies to counteract potential damages.
Trump justified the tariff hikes by citing China’s alleged role in the fentanyl crisis, claiming that Chinese-produced precursors are fueling widespread drug-related deaths in the U.S. Beijing has firmly rejected this reasoning, labeling it an unfounded pretext.
Following an initial wave of U.S. tariffs in February, China responded by increasing duties on specific American energy imports and placing two U.S. firms on an “unreliable entities” list, limiting their business operations within China.
China’s National People’s Congress and Future Policy Directions
Amid the growing tensions, China’s annual National People’s Congress (NPC) convened on Tuesday, setting the nation’s economic priorities for 2025. Speaking at the event, Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th NPC, emphasized that while disagreements with the U.S. are expected, Beijing will not bow to external pressure or threats.
One significant announcement from the congress was China’s decision to increase defense spending by 7.2% in 2025, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding national security.
Although there remains a possibility that Washington and Beijing could negotiate a reduction in tariffs, analysts warn that the risk of a deeper and prolonged economic decoupling between the two nations is increasing.
