Tariff war takes new twist
Published:Tuesday | April 22, 2025 | 12:13 AM
As the trade war between the world’s two largest economies heats up, China has reportedly warned it will hit back at countries making deals with the United States (US) that negatively affect Beijing’s interest.
According to a BBC article, the comments come after reports that the US plans to pressure governments to restrict trade with China in exchange for exemptions from US tariffs.
US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on all imports into the US earlier this month, but later announced a three-month pause on their implementation.
Since announcing what he termed “reciprocal” tariffs, Trump said more than 70 countries have reached out to the US to start negotiations.
When the US tariffs were announced earlier this month, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the Government was actively engaging with the US to seek clarification on the 10 per cent tariff on imports.
It was acknowledged that should the US impose a 10 per cent tariff on Jamaica, it could potentially have a significant impact on the island’s trade with its largest trading partner, as nearly 90 per cent of the country’s exports enter the US market under preferential terms through the Caribbean Basin Initiative.
The BBC reported yesterday that the Trump administration had started talks with trading partners over tariffs, with a Japanese delegation visiting Washington last week and South Korea set to start negotiations this week.
Since taking the reins of the presidency in the US in January, Trump has carried out his campaign pledge by imposing hefty taxes on Chinese imports, while other countries have also been hit with levies on their goods.
“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests. If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures,” a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said.
According to the BBC, the comments came after reports that the US plans to use tariff negotiations to pressure dozens of countries into imposing new barriers on trade with China.
Trump has imposed taxes of up to 145 per cent on imports from China. Other countries are now facing a blanket US tariff of 10 per cent until July.
China has hit back with a 125 per cent tax on products from the US and vowed to “fight to the end”.
The trade war between the world’s two biggest economies sent shock waves through the global financial markets earlier this month.