Chinese authorities have reacted with deep indignation to the latest US tariffs, likening them to a slap in the face. In Beijing, such an insult demands a response. “If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry official said. The outcome of this standoff is uncertain, but one thing is clear: serious upheaval lies ahead.
After responding swiftly to tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, China made it unmistakably clear that it is prepared for a prolonged trade war initiated by Washington. Bloomberg reported that China’s countermeasures had unsettled global markets, with investors now preparing for a prolonged and potentially damaging trade conflict. Fears escalated after Trump declared he would not consider lowering tariffs unless China eliminated its trade deficit with the United States.
In response, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for urgent efforts to boost domestic consumption, emphasizing the need to stimulate internal demand and improve investment efficiency—all seen as critical levers for strengthening China’s economic resilience.
At present, however, prospects for dialogue between the two nations appear slim. Wu Xinbo, director at Fudan University's Center for American Studies in Shanghai, said that Washington and Beijing would have to fight it out before meaningful negotiations could begin. He also dismissed the idea of a phone call between Trump and Xi. “You just slapped my face and I'm not just going to call you and beg your pardon,” he said, using a vivid metaphor to describe the diplomatic impasse.
Bloomberg also noted that President Trump had not spoken with his Chinese counterpart since returning to the White House, thus marking the longest silence between US and Chinese leaders in over two decades after a US presidential inauguration.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described Trump’s tariffs as bullying and intimidation, labeling them protectionist and a unilateral approach to mutual trade.
