China has released a comprehensive white paper, outlining its response to US president’s decision to enforce a 104% tariff.

In a strongly worded statement, it asserts, “there are no winners in a trade war. China does not want to fight a trade war, but the Chinese government will never sit idly by and watch the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be harmed and deprived.”

The document, titled “China’s Position on Several Issues in China-US Economic and Trade Relations,” lays bare Beijing’s frustration with US president Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies, accusing the US of ‘unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.’

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“China firmly opposes these unilateral and hegemonic restrictive measures and has resolutely taken countermeasures in accordance with the basic principles of international law,” the white paper states.

It has also threatened the country with countermeasures if the US insists on further escalating economic and trade restrictive measures, “China has the firm will and ample means to resolutely counter and will see it through to the end.”

However after outlining the US-Sino trade relations China also showed willingness to communicate with the US on important issues in the economic and trade fields.

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The white paper comes on the heels of the US imposing a 104% reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods, a move that follows earlier punitive measures targeting Chinese exports.

“Bilateral trade volume has surged from less than $2.5 billion in 1979 to nearly $688.3 billion in 2024. Two-way investment stock exceeds $260 billion,” it further adds.

China has repeatedly warned that these tariffs, coupled with the potential revocation of China’s permanent normal trade relations status and other restrictive measures, are unacceptable.

“The US has disregarded international trade rules and damaged the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese side,” the white paper states. “China will not tolerate these actions and will resolutely defend its national interests.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry meanwhile has stated, ‘If US really wants to resolve the problem through dialogues and negotiation, it should adopt an attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit.

The document emphasizes that the essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. However, it strongly condemns the US for adopting a “zero-sum” approach, prioritizing “America First” and seeking to dominate global trade through unilateralism and protectionism.

“The US has used tariffs as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek private gain,” the white paper asserts. “This is a clear example of economic bullying, aimed at undermining the existing international economic and trade order.”

China has reiterated its commitment to free trade and the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, highlighting its efforts to lower tariffs and improve its business environment. However, it emphasized that it would not hesitate to take decisive action to counter US aggression.