In a bold and pointed response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff accusations, the Chinese embassy in Washington has made it clear that China is prepared to “fight till the end” in any form of conflict the U.S. may provoke. The statement, posted on the Chinese Embassy’s official social media handle, came after President Trump’s remarks in a joint session of Congress, where he outlined what he described as unfair trade practices by several countries, including China. The embassy’s message declared, “If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”
If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end. https://t.co/crPhO02fFE
— Chinese Embassy in US (@ChineseEmbinUS) March 5, 2025
This declaration comes in response to Trump’s speech, where he claimed that other countries, particularly China, have long imposed high tariffs on U.S. products while benefiting from relatively lower tariffs in return. He singled out nations like China, India, Brazil, Canada, and the European Union, highlighting that the U.S. was subjected to unfair trade practices. Trump further asserted that China’s tariffs on U.S. goods are far higher than the tariffs the U.S. imposes on Chinese imports, arguing that the system is inherently unfair to the United States.
In retaliation to the U.S.’s move, President Trump increased previously imposed tariffs on Chinese goods from 10% to 20%, intensifying the ongoing trade dispute. In response, China has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the U.S. of violating international trade rules and undermining economic cooperation between the two countries. China’s commerce ministry stated that the U.S.’s unilateral actions have seriously disrupted the foundation of China-U.S. economic relations.
One of the key points of contention between the U.S. and China has been the issue of fentanyl trafficking. Trump accused China of not doing enough to combat the flow of fentanyl and other opioids into the U.S., which has fueled the ongoing opioid crisis. In defense, China’s Foreign Ministry contested these claims, describing them as a pretext to justify the imposition of tariffs. They asserted that the U.S., not China, is responsible for the fentanyl crisis within its own borders, despite China’s efforts to assist the U.S. in combating the problem.
The Chinese government also condemned the U.S. for using the fentanyl issue as a tool of political leverage, accusing the U.S. of unfairly shifting blame to China. The statement further emphasized that the U.S. should recognize China’s efforts to help in addressing the issue rather than resorting to tariffs as a form of pressure. “Instead of recognizing our efforts, the U.S. has sought to smear and shift blame to China, and is seeking to pressure and blackmail China with tariff hikes,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated.
China’s response conveyed a strong message, warning that intimidation, bullying, and pressure tactics would not be effective in dealing with China. The statement concluded by reaffirming that any efforts to force China into submission would be met with resistance and that the U.S. was miscalculating if it believed that maximum pressure could force China to bend.
With the U.S. and China locked in an escalating trade dispute, the potential for further tension remains high, particularly as both sides continue to trade barbs and issue threats over tariffs and broader trade practices. The situation underscores the fragile nature of international trade relations and the challenges both countries face in reaching a resolution that balances their economic interests.
