China has pledged to take “all necessary measures” in response to the United States’ newly imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, escalating trade tensions between the two economic giants.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning condemned the tariffs, stating that protectionist policies do not provide a solution and warning that trade wars ultimately harm all parties involved. “China has always believed that protectionism offers no way out and that there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars,” Mao said during a press briefing.
She further criticized the move as a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, arguing that it undermines the global trading system. “The United States’ actions seriously violate WTO rules, seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system, and are not conducive to solving the problem,” she added.
China, the world’s largest steel producer, does not export significant amounts of the product to the U.S. However, Beijing has made it clear that it will take countermeasures to safeguard its economic interests.
Escalating Trade Tensions
The latest tariffs, which took effect at 0401 GMT on Wednesday, mark a new stage in the ongoing trade conflict between Washington and its major trading partners. The move follows an earlier decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on all Chinese imports from 10% to 20%, prompting retaliatory tariffs from Beijing on select U.S. agricultural goods.
The continued escalation between the two nations highlights deepening economic frictions, with both sides reinforcing their positions ahead of potential negotiations or further countermeasures.
