China will retaliate if President Donald Trump‘s administration restores huge tariffs on its goods, its government newspaper has said.
An op-ed in the official People’s Daily newspaper disparaged Trump’s “bullying” tariffs and said it would take action against countries that strike deals with the U.S. to cut China out of supply chains.
“One conclusion is abundantly clear: dialogue and cooperation are the only correct path,” the newspaper said. The article was signed “Zhong Sheng,” or “Voice of China,” which is a term used to express views on foreign policy.
Why It Matters
The warning by the government newspaper suggests global repercussions for China’s trade dispute with the U.S. China has until August 12 to reach a deal with the U.S. to keep Trump from reinstating additional import curbs imposed during tariff exchanges in April and May.
China had been initially singled out by Trump with tariffs exceeding 100 percent. In June, Washington and Beijing agreed to a trade framework but its details are unclear and there is uncertainty over whether it will unravel.
What To Know
The Trump administration said it was sending out letters to trading partners before Wednesday, the day his so-called reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries were scheduled to snap back to the levels he had announced in early April.
The president posted screenshots of form letters dictating new tariff rates to the leaders of 14 countries ranging from 25 percent to 40 percent.
But the Chinese government paper said Trump’s tariffs amounted to “bullying,” adding that “only by firmly upholding principled positions can one truly safeguard one’s legitimate rights and interests.”
Trump signed an executive order to delay the date when his “reciprocal” tariffs are set to snap back higher to August 1, teasing that the U.S. will consider adjusting the new levies, depending on the country’s relationship with Washington.
