China says it opposes latest US tariff threat

China Condemns U.S. Tariff Threats, Accuses Washington of Shifting Blame

China has strongly condemned President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, calling the move an attempt to "shift the blame" for the U.S.’s own problems. The Chinese government dismissed the threat as a misguided effort to destabilize global supply chains and accused the White House of violating international trade rules. The proposed tariffs, announced on Thursday, would target Mexican and Canadian goods, with an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports set to take effect on Tuesday. The move coincides with the start of China’s annual parliamentary meetings, a significant political event where Beijing is expected to outline its economic priorities for 2025.

Trump’s Tariff Plan Draws Criticism from Beijing

President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China has sparked outrage in Beijing. The Chinese government has consistently argued that unilateral tariffs contravene World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and undermine the global trading system. A spokesperson for China’s commerce ministry issued a statement rejecting the tariffs, emphasizing that the country has some of the strictest anti-drug policies in the world. The spokesperson accused the U.S. of using the issue of drug flows as a pretext to impose unfair trade measures, describing the move as a thinly veiled attempt to shift responsibility.

Timing of the Tariffs Raises Questions

The timing of the proposed tariffs has not gone unnoticed. The additional 10% duty on Chinese imports comes just as China’s annual parliamentary meetings are set to begin. These meetings, known as the "Two Sessions," are a key event in China’s political calendar, where lawmakers and officials gather to discuss and set the country’s economic agenda. The coincidence has led to speculation that the U.S. is seeking to exert pressure on China during a sensitive period. The move has been interpreted by analysts as an attempt to influence China’s economic policy-making process, though Beijing has made it clear that it will not be swayed by such tactics.

China’s Anti-Drug Policies Under Scrutiny

The U.S. has justified the tariffs by citing the flow of deadly drugs from China into the U.S. market. However, the Chinese government has pushed back against this narrative, arguing that it has implemented some of the world’s strictest anti-drug laws and enforcement mechanisms. China has long maintained that it is committed to combating the global drug trade and has taken significant steps to address the issue. The country’s commerce ministry described the U.S. tariff threat as a baseless attempt to deflect attention from its own failures in addressing the drug crisis within its borders.

Impact on Global Supply Chains

The proposed tariffs have raised concerns about the potential disruption to global supply chains. China is a major player in the global economy, and any escalation in trade tensions could have far-reaching consequences. The country has repeatedly called for a multilateral approach to resolving trade disputes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable international trading system. The Chinese government has warned that unilateral measures like the tariffs proposed by the U.S. could have a destabilizing effect on the global economy, with potential knock-on effects for businesses and consumers worldwide.

A Broader Context of U.S.-China Trade Tensions

The latest tariff threat is part of a larger pattern of trade tensions between the U.S. and China. Over the past few years, the two countries have been locked in a series of trade disputes, with the U.S. imposing tariffs on Chinese goods and China responding with retaliatory measures. The disputes have centered on issues such as intellectual property rights, technology transfer, and market access, with both sides accusing the other of unfair trade practices. The latest tariffs, however, seem to have introduced a new dimension to the conflict, with the U.S. linking trade policy to issues like drug control. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be closely watching how Beijing and Washington navigate this increasingly complex trade relationship.