The Chinese Embassy in Washington has issued a strong rebuke to the United States, asserting that Beijing is prepared to confront any form of conflict should Washington seek escalation.
The statement comes in response to tariffs imposed by the administration of former US President Donald Trump over the fentanyl crisis.
“If the US truly wishes to address the fentanyl issue, the proper course of action is to engage with China on equal terms,” the embassy stated in a post on X.
“However, if war is what the US desires—be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other kind—then we are ready to fight until the very end.”
The remarks reflect deepening tensions between the two global powers, with Beijing criticising Washington’s approach as confrontational and dismissive of diplomatic parity.
The fentanyl issue is a flimsy excuse to raise U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. Our countermeasures to defend our rights and interests are fully legitimate and necessary.
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) March 4, 2025
The U.S., not anyone else, is responsible for the #FentanylCrisis inside the U.S. In the spirit of humanity… pic.twitter.com/OjvSEcZS6o
The development follows the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs on China, citing concerns over the illicit flow of fentanyl into the US.
The statement from the Chinese Embassy underscores Beijing’s firm stance against what it perceives as economic coercion and unfair treatment.
