By The Sampadak Express
China has announced sweeping retaliatory tariffs on all imports from the United States, raising duties to 125% in response to Washington’s latest round of trade penalties. The move marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing economic conflict between the world’s two largest economies.
In a statement issued Friday, Beijing’s State Council Tariff Commission accused the United States of violating international trade norms. “The US’s imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international trade rules, basic economic laws, and common sense,” the statement read. The new tariffs are set to take effect Saturday.
The development follows President Donald Trump’s recent decision to increase tariffs on Chinese goods, bringing the total to 145%—including a separate 20% tariff linked to China’s role in fentanyl production. While the Trump administration paused tariffs on some nations after market backlash, China was notably excluded.
In a strong rebuke, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it will file a new lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the U.S. of destabilizing the global economy. “The US should bear full responsibility for the current turbulence in world markets and the multilateral trading system,” a ministry spokesperson said.
Chinese officials also criticized what they described as a “numbers game” with no real economic value, warning that if Washington continues its aggressive tariff strategy, Beijing will “resolutely counter and fight to the end.”
Despite the hardline stance, Chinese authorities signaled a willingness to resume talks, though they emphasized that dialogue must be based on mutual respect. “Threats and pressure are not the way. China remains open to consultation, but not under coercion,” said Katrina Yu, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Beijing.
Economists warn that the escalating trade war could fuel inflation. Karl Widerquist, a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, noted that U.S. consumers may rush to purchase goods before tariffs take effect, pushing up demand and prices in the short term.
As tensions rise, the path to a resolution remains uncertain—though both sides appear to be leaving a narrow door open for future negotiations.
