China is turning up the heat on the US with a series of new countermeasures in response to recent tariff hikes. 🚀 The Chinese mainland has slapped an additional 10% tariff on all its exports to the US, citing concerns over fentanyl.
In a move to escalate the trade tensions, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce announced that China has officially filed a case with the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism against the US's latest tariff increase. This follows the initial 10% tariff announced earlier this year on February 1st.
China Targets US Entities with Export Controls & Tariff Hike
China isn't stopping at tariffs. They've added 15 US entities, including Leidos, to their export control list. This means these companies are now banned from receiving dual-use items from China, and all ongoing exports must halt immediately. Any special export cases will need approval from the Ministry of Commerce.
But that's not all. Ten US companies, such as TCOM, have been placed on China's \"unreliable entity list.\" These companies are now forbidden from engaging in any import or export activities with China and are barred from making new investments in the country.
Looking ahead, from February 4, 2025, US company Illumina Inc. will also join the unreliable entity list, restricting its export of gene sequencing devices to China.
Starting March 10, 2025, China will impose additional tariffs on a variety of US imports. Chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton will face a 15% tariff, while sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products will incur a 10% tariff. These new tariffs stack on top of existing duties, but shipments departing before March 10 and arriving between March 10 and April 12 will be exempt.
Foreign Ministry Responds to US Actions
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian fired back at the US during a press briefing on Tuesday. Lin stated that the tariff increases are a justified move to protect China's interests and pointed out that the root cause of the fentanyl crisis is within the US. 🌐 He highlighted China's humanitarian efforts to assist the US in combating the crisis.
Lin didn't mince words, accusing the US of shifting the blame onto China and labeling the tariff hike as pressure and extortion. He emphasized that such tactics won't resolve the US's domestic issues and will harm cooperation between the two nations in fighting drug trafficking.
\"China does not fear coercion or bullying,\" Lin declared. \"If the US insists on escalating tensions through tariffs or other confrontational tactics, China will respond accordingly. We urge the US to abandon its bullying approach and return to dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect.\"
Stay tuned as this trade saga unfolds! 🔍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
