China has cautioned nations on Monday, 21 April 2025, that are affected by US President Donald Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” that it will strongly oppose any party attempting to strike trade deals with the US at its expense. The warning escalates Beijing’s rhetoric amid the intensifying trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Beijing has also vowed to respond with firm and reciprocal countermeasures, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce.
This follows after the ministry responded to a Bloomberg report that the Trump administration plans to pressure nations seeking tariff reductions or exemptions to curb trade with China, including the imposition of monetary sanctions.
On 2 April 2025, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries, including China. This move established reciprocal tariffs targeting nations with significant trade deficits with the United States. However, the reciprocal tariffs were postponed for 90 days, excluding the tariffs imposed on China.
Washington has significantly increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, sparking a strong response from Beijing, which has imposed retaliatory duties of 125% on US goods.
“The United States has abused tariffs on all trading partners under the banner of so-called ‘equivalence’, while also forcing all parties to start so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ negotiations with them,” the ministry spokesperson said.
The ministry also stated that China will be resolute and “will fight it to the end” in protecting its rights and interests.
