China Warns US: Ready for Any Trade War as Tensions Rise Over Tariffs
China has warned the United States that it is prepared to fight any kind of war, including a trade war, after President Donald Trump imposed more tariffs on Chinese goods. According to BBC, this latest move has pushed the world’s two largest economies closer to a full trade conflict.
Trump has placed new tariffs on all Chinese imports, and China has responded by increasing taxes on US farm products by 10-15%. The Chinese embassy in Washington shared a strong message on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “If war is what the US wants, whether a tariff war or trade war, we are ready to fight till the end.” BBC reports that this is one of the strongest statements China has made since Trump became president.
At the same time, China’s leaders are meeting in Beijing for the National People’s Congress, an important political gathering.
Premier Li Qiang has announced a 7.2% increase in China’s military budget, the same increase as last year. BBC explains that China is using this moment to show confidence in its economy despite the growing trade war threat.
China wants to appear as a peaceful and stable country compared to the United States, which BBC notes is involved in conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. However, while China is pushing back against US tariffs, it is also trying not to scare off other global partners who may want to invest in its economy.
BBC reminds readers that this is not the first time China has hinted at war readiness. Last October, President Xi Jinping told his military to be prepared for war while Chinese forces held drills around Taiwan. However, there is a difference between being prepared and actually going to war.
Another major issue in US-China relations is fentanyl, a powerful drug that has caused a crisis in the US. BBC reports that China has accused the US of using fentanyl as an excuse to increase tariffs. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated, “Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressuring, coercion, or threats are not the right way to deal with China.”
According to BBC, the relationship between China and the US is one of the most challenging in global politics. The latest warning from China could be used by Trump’s team as evidence that Beijing is America’s biggest economic and foreign policy threat.
There was hope that relations between the two nations might improve. BBC reports that Trump had once invited President Xi to his inauguration and even said they had a great phone call before he entered the White House. However, their relations have since worsened, and a scheduled phone call last month between the two leaders never happened.
China is also struggling with economic problems, including low spending by its citizens, a real estate crisis, and high unemployment. To fix this, China has promised to invest billions into its economy. BBC explains that these plans were announced at the National People’s Congress, a political event where decisions made by top leaders are approved.
When it comes to military spending, China has the second-largest defense budget in the world at $245 billion, but this is far less than what the US spends.
BBC notes that China officially spends 1.6% of its GDP on defense, which is lower than the US or Russia. However, experts believe China may be spending more on its military than it publicly admits.
This ongoing tension between China and the US continues to shape global politics.
BBC will keep following this story as both countries move closer to a major trade showdown.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gmd3g2nzqo