China vows to hit back against US tariffs linked to fentanyl
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The US is using its problems with deadly drug fentanyl as an excuse to impose tariffs, China's Commerce Ministry said.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
BEIJING – China’s Commerce Ministry on March 4 vowed to retaliate against fresh US import tariffs
The extra 10 per cent duty US President Donald Trump threatened China with last week is expected to enter into force at 12.01am Eastern Standard Time (1.01pm Singapore time) on March 4, resulting in a cumulative 20 per cent tariff in response to what the White House considers Chinese inaction over drug flows. The tariff represents an additional hike of pre-existing levies on thousands of Chinese goods.
The US has argued that China supplies chemicals used in fentanyl production. China has denied any wrongdoing.
The Global Times reported on March 3 that China had American agricultural and food products in its cross hairs, and would hit back with a series of both tariffs and non-tariff measures.
The tabloid, which is owned by the newspaper of the governing Communist Party, the People’s Daily, was first to report the steps Beijing planned to take in response to the European Union slapping tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024.
“China has repeatedly stated that the US’ unilateral tariffs violate World Trade Organisation rules and undermine the multilateral trade system,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
“Such measures will not solve (the US’) problems but instead will harm China-US economic and trade cooperation and disrupt regular international trade,” it added.
China urges the US to “immediately withdraw” its unilateral tariff measures that are “unreasonable and groundless, harmful to others”, the ministry said. REUTERS
