China Urges Trump to Stop Threats, Blackmail Over Trade War
China has issued a sharp critique toward the United States in the wake of recent comments made by President Donald Trump. These comments emphasized the necessity for Beijing to engage in discussions to resolve the ongoing trade tensions. In a firm response, China accused the U.S. of employing strategies of “threatening and blackmailing,” and advocated for negotiations to be founded on mutual respect and equality.
The escalation in trade disputes came as the Trump administration implemented extensive new tariffs, raising duties on certain Chinese imports to an impressive 245 percent. According to a recent announcement from the White House, these heightened tariff levels have emerged as a response to retaliatory tariffs from Beijing, which have themselves reached up to 125 percent on American goods.
China’s Commerce Ministry vehemently criticized these escalating practices, suggesting that the U.S. had “weaponized tariffs to an utterly irrational level.” The ministry has pledged to disregard what it calls “the US’s utterly meaningless tariff numbers game.” In acknowledgement of the conflict’s severity, the ministry confirmed that some Chinese exports are now burdened with a cumulative tariff rate of 245 percent, though specific products were not detailed.
Initially, Trump reinstated these tariffs accusing China of contributing to the fentanyl supply chain, supplementing previously established trade penalties. In a further move, an additional 125 percent tariff was applied to a broad array of Chinese goods in response to perceived unfair trade practices. However, certain exemptions have been granted temporarily for tech items like smartphones and laptops, alleviating some pressure in specific sectors.
Despite the trade row, China’s economy showcased resilience, delivering stronger-than-anticipated growth figures with a 5.4 percent expansion in the first quarter, partly attributed to exporters accelerating shipments prior to the tariff increases.
In a reaffirmation on Tuesday, the White House declared that it was now up to China to take the next steps. Economists have highlighted concerns that this ongoing trade conflict could have worldwide consequences, potentially contributing to a global economic downturn.
Diplomatic avenues remain active. Japan’s representative to Washington, Ryosei Akazawa, remains optimistic for a “win-win” resolution during upcoming discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “We will protect our national interest,” Akazawa remarked, showcasing his country’s stance on the issue.
Meanwhile, South Korea has also projected its apprehensions, with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok scheduled to meet with Bessent in the upcoming week. “The current priority is to employ negotiations to delay the imposition of reciprocal tariffs as much as possible and minimize uncertainty for Korean companies operating not only in the U.S. but globally,” stated Choi.
On the corporate side, Japanese automotive giant Honda declared its decision to transfer the production of its hybrid Civic model from Japan to the U.S. However, this transition is not expected to significantly alter its overall production strategy.
In Asian tech markets, there was a palpable sense of nervousness. Semiconductor stocks fell sharply following Nvidia’s warning about an anticipated $5.5 billion revenue loss due to newly imposed U.S. licensing restrictions affecting its leading chip intended for the Chinese market.
Adding to the rising trade tensions, President Trump announced on Tuesday the start of a new investigation that could potentially lead to the imposition of tariffs on critical minerals, rare earths, and associated products, including smartphones. This move further complicates the situation, introducing fresh layers to the ongoing economic saga between the two global powerhouses.
