China is studying potential countermeasures, which may include tariffs and a range of non-tariff measures, in response to the US threat to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods under the pretext of fentanyl, reported state-backed newspaper the Global Times, citing sources.
Tariffs on US agricultural and food products are highly likely to be included in China’s countermeasures, the report said.
The report indicated that if the US insists on unilaterally imposing additional tariffs and officially announces the measures, China will firmly implement strong countermeasures,
China has expressed strong opposition to the US threat to impose the additional 10% tariff starting March 4 on Chinese goods over fentanyl-related claims. On February 28, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said that China is one of the countries with the strictest drug control policies and most thorough enforcement, actively cooperating with countries worldwide, including the U.S., on international drug control.
However, the U.S. has consistently ignored objective facts, using fentanyl as a pretext to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and now threatening to increase tariffs again, and this behavior is nothing but blame-shifting, which will not solve its own problems but will increase burdens on American businesses and consumers while undermining global supply chain stability, the ministry said.
The spokesperson emphasized that China hopes the U.S. will not repeat its mistakes and will return to the right track of resolving differences through equal dialogue. If the U.S. insists on acting unilaterally, China will take all necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.