In a sharp escalation of ongoing trade tensions, China has imposed tariffs of up to 125% on American goods, responding to what it calls the United States’ “coercive” use of duties under the guise of economic policy.
CNN reported the development on Friday (11 April), citing an official announcement by China’s State Council Tariff Commission, which raised the punitive duties from a previous rate of 84%.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce was quoted in the report, stating: “The United States’ relentless imposition of excessive tariffs on China has become nothing more than a numbers game devoid of real economic significance. It lays bare Washington’s habitual use of tariffs as a tool of intimidation, and reflects a certain theatrical absurdity in its trade policy.”
The spokesperson further cautioned that China would not entertain such numeric brinkmanship, but warned that if the United States were to cause substantial harm to Chinese interests, Beijing would respond resolutely and fight to the end.
This latest move underscores the deteriorating economic relations between the world’s two largest economies, as both sides dig in deeper in a battle of tariffs and rhetoric.
