Garlic may spice up your food, but who knew it could spice up international relations? 🌶️🧄
In a twist that's got everyone talking, the United States has declared Chinese garlic a 'major threat' to its food security. Senator Rick Scott recently called for a Section 301 investigation into Chinese garlic imports, and the House of Representatives passed the 'National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025' with a provision banning the sale of Chinese garlic in military stores. 😲
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning couldn't help but find the whole situation amusing. 'It is believed that garlic probably has never imagined it could pose a major threat to the U.S.,' she joked during a press conference. Chinese netizens are having a field day, poking fun at the idea across social media platforms. 😂
Mao Ning highlighted a growing trend of U.S. politicians labeling everyday Chinese products—from drones and refrigerators to cranes and now garlic—as 'national security risks.' She noted that the reasons behind these claims 'could not withstand scrutiny.' 🧐
'Overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing economic, trade, and technological issues will only exacerbate the security risks of the global production and supply chain, and ultimately harm people,' Mao cautioned. She urged U.S. politicians to 'show more rationality and common sense to avoid becoming laughingstocks.' 🤦
As global trade tensions simmer, who would've thought that humble garlic would be at the center of a spicy debate? Whether this is just a case of over-seasoning the issue or a legitimate concern, only time will tell. In the meantime, let's hope our favorite dishes don't lose their flavorful kick! 🌍🍽️
Reference(s):
Spokesperson: Garlic not imagined as a major threat to the U.S.
cgtn.com
