China strikes back: Tensions rise over new US tariffs

"China has repeatedly stated that unilateral tariffs violate World Trade Organization rules and undermine the multilateral trading system. China is one of the countries with the strictest and most thorough drug control policies in the world, and actively carries out international drug control cooperation with countries around the world including the United States," reads a statement published on the ministry's website.

Tariffs of 10% on imports from China came into effect at the beginning of February. The White House also announced 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico. However, their implementation was postponed for 30 days. Washington argued that these three countries are responsible for the influx of fentanyl into the USA, which contributes to the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed that the tariffs targeting Mexico and Canada would begin on 4th March and that he would impose an additional 10% tariff on products from China, arguing that drugs are still "flowing" into the USA.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing argued that "shifting the blame and shirking responsibility" would not help solve the internal problem in the USA, but would instead "place a greater burden on American businesses and consumers" and harm the stability of the global industrial chain.

"China urges the US not to repeat its mistakes and to return to the correct path of resolving disputes through equal dialogue as soon as possible," reads the statement.

In response to the initial tariffs, China announced retaliatory tariffs of 15% on the import of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, and 10% on the import of crude oil, agricultural machinery, high-capacity engine vehicles, and so-called pickups.