Image Credentials: Image Title: China Vows to ‘Fight Till End’ After Trump Warns of 50% Tariff Hike Source: AI-Generated Image (Grok, xAI) Date: April 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (Grok, xAI), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
BEIJING — China issued a strong rebuke Tuesday to U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports, declaring through state media that it “will fight till the end” if Washington continues down its current economic path.
The sharp response came after Trump warned on Monday of an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports unless Beijing backs down on its recently announced 34% tit-for-tat duties in response to earlier U.S. tariffs.
JUST IN: China says it will "fight to the end" after President Trump threatened additional 50% tariff.
“The US threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake”
"If the US insists on its own way, China will fight to the end.”– a Chinese Ministry of… pic.twitter.com/wEOioKl5ki
— DeFAI Alpha (@defaialpha) April 8, 2025
In a statement carried by Xinhua, China’s Ministry condemned Trump’s tariff threats as “unilateral bullying” and accused the United States of attempting to coerce Beijing into economic submission through “blackmail.”
“China firmly opposes any move to escalate tariffs and will take all necessary countermeasures to safeguard its rights,” the statement read.
“China will fight till the end if the U.S. side is bent on going down the wrong path.”
The Ministry added that China’s retaliatory tariffs are “legitimate actions” designed to protect its sovereignty, security, and development interests and ensure a fair international trade environment.
Trump’s latest salvo adds to a growing list of tariff measures imposed during his return to the White House, including a 34% reciprocal tariff unveiled last week and a pre-existing 20% levy on a wide range of Chinese goods. The president has made it clear that more punitive actions are on the table if China does not yield.
“If they don’t roll back those 34% tariffs on our imports, we’ll go to 50% — maybe higher,” Trump said during a press conference Monday. “We’ve been taken advantage of for far too long.”
Trump’s approach has drawn criticism both domestically and abroad for disrupting global supply chains and adding volatility to already-jittery markets. Investors responded with caution Tuesday, as stock indices dipped and commodity prices fluctuated amid uncertainty over the escalating U.S.–China trade spat.
China, meanwhile, is doubling down on its position that trade disputes should be resolved through mutual respect and dialogue — not coercion.
“The U.S. actions not only hurt China’s interests but also undermine the global trade system,” the ministry said. “China will never accept intimidation.”
As tensions grow, economists warn that a prolonged tariff war could have wide-reaching consequences, from rising consumer prices to slowing growth in global markets already navigating economic headwinds.
For now, with both sides refusing to blink, the world’s two largest economies appear to be heading toward another high-stakes showdown — one that may have ripple effects far beyond their borders.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.