 "Workers are seen in a port at Binhai economic area in the municipality of Tianjin, northwest China on February 5, 2025. AFP/Representational image")
China on Wednesday sought “dialogue” with the US as it rejected President Donald Trump’s tariffs on exports and called for a resolution of differences between the two nations.
“China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.
China called for “fair and mutually respectful dialogue and consultations”, he added.
Beijing has announced that it would implement a 15 per cent tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products along with a 10 per cent tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars imported from the US. This comes after Trump’s 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods came into effect on Monday.
‘No winners in trade wars’
Defending China’s tit-for-tat move, Jian said, “The measures taken by China are necessary to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. There are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war.”
Apart from announcing a barrage of tariffs on the US, China has also launched an antitrust investigation against Google .
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said Tuesday it was investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws.
‘China has toughest policy against drugs’
Trump’s tariffs against China stem from his concern that Beijing is not doing enough to stop the deadly fentanyl trade, which US authorities estimate causes tens of thousands of deaths a year.
US President Donald Trump is “not going to allow China to continue to source and distribute deadly fentanyl into our country,” the White House said.
Beijing on Wednesday rejected responsibility for the fentanyl epidemic, touting its zero-tolerance drug policy.
“China has one of the toughest policies against drugs in the world,” Lin said.
“Fentanyl is the United States’ issue, and its root cause lies within the United States itself,” he added.
With inputs from agencies