China believes that this unilateral US move to raise tariffs on its exports to the United States undermines the multilateral trading system, increases the burden on American companies and consumers, and harms the foundations of economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States. Chinese Foreign Minister “Wang Yi” also pledged what he called a “firm response” if Washington continues its trade confrontation, following the imposition of additional taxes on Chinese products entering the United States. The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, republished a statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson “Lin Jian” on the “X platform,” quoting his statement regarding China’s readiness for any type of war with Washington, whether commercial or otherwise.
China also strongly opposes the US decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports. This was confirmed by Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson “He Yadong” in an official statement from China, stating that the Chinese side will take countermeasures to resolutely protect its rights and interests. Accordingly, China has decided to impose additional tariffs on certain products imported from the United States, effective Monday, March 10, 2026, in response to the US tariffs under Trump’s directive. According to a statement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, a number of US products will be subject to an additional 15% tariff. The US argument is to push China to cooperate with it in cracking down on “companies that produce chemicals used in the manufacture of fentanyl,” a synthetic opioid 10 times more potent than heroin, and in cutting off funding for its trafficking. The Chinese government denies any involvement in any illegal fentanyl trade with Mexico and says it has not been notified by the Mexican government of the seizure of any Chinese chemicals used in the manufacture of this drug. Fentanyl addiction is a serious scourge in the United States, with 100,000 Americans dying from overdoses. This drug is the leading cause of death among people aged 18 to 49 in the US.
Therefore, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded after the additional US tariffs took effect, stating that “the fentanyl issue is a flimsy US pretext for raising US tariffs on imports.” The Chinese spokesperson stated that “China’s countermeasures are intended to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese peopl“e.
Accordingly, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce expressed its opposition to the United States’ decision to impose tariffs on Chinese products due to the drug fentanyl and other issues. Beijing pledged to take countermeasures to protect its rights and interests against the United States.
It is worth noting that since the US-China summit in San Francisco in November 2023, between former US President Joe Biden and Chinese President “Xi Jinpin”g, China has completely shut down a Chinese company following US accusations of its involvement in fentanyl trafficking. Beijing has also halted several international financial transfers due to US accusations of its involvement in promoting fentanyl with Mexico. At the same time, China has resumed sharing information on fentanyl shipments and trafficking. Chinese President “Xi Jinping” himself, following his meeting with his former US counterpart, Joe Biden, in California, affirmed that “China deeply sympathizes with the victims of the deadly fentanyl drug.”
China also accused the US of raising tariffs due to accusations that Chinese companies were involved in promoting fentanyl with Mexico. The accusations are a manifestation of Washington’s hegemony, unilateralism, and bullying of the world and its trade rules. Washington deliberately ignores all facts, international trade rules, and the positions of all international parties. China accuses Washington of violating World Trade Organization rules and undermining the multilateral international trade system. Washington is thus disrupting economic and trade cooperation between Washington and Beijing and obstructing the normal functioning of the international trade system among all parties.
