China vows to ‘fight to the end’ as Trump threatens additional 50% tariffs

The US-China standoff intensified after Trump issued a deadline for China to withdraw its recent 34 per cent tariff increase on US goods. In a post on Truth Social, the president declared April 8, 2025, as the cutoff. “If China does not withdraw... the United States will impose ADDITIONAL tariffs,” Trump said, also threatening to suspend all ongoing trade talks.

Written by FE News Desk

Updated: April 8, 2025 16:15 IST

US-China trade war: Soybeans, valued at $15.2 billion, were the top US export to China, while broadcasting equipment was China’s biggest export to the US, worth $54.5 billion in 2023.

China has spent a long time in building and growing its economy which is already war-proofed against any repercussions from its own trade practices, a Bloomberg article said. (Image: Reuters)

China’s Ministry of Commerce released a strong-worded statement on Tuesday, asserting that it will “fight until the end” if the United States moves forward with its proposed new tariffs. China threatened to “resolutely take countermeasures” in response to Trump tariff threats. The warning comes in response to US President Donald Trump’s threat of an additional 50 per cent tariff hike on Chinese goods.

What did China say?

While vowing to take “necessary actions” to defend its trade interests, China also extended an olive branch, urging Washington to return to the negotiating table. “We advocate resolving disputes through dialogue and cooperation,” the ministry stated, “but we will not hesitate to defend our legitimate rights and interests.”