China signalled defiance on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a steep 125% tariff on Chinese imports, intensifying a high-stakes trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Hours after Trump accused Beijing of showing a “lack of respect” and imposed the unprecedented levy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded with a pointed social media post that evoked the country’s revolutionary spirit.
“We are Chinese. We are not afraid of provocations. We don’t back down,” Mao wrote on X, sharing a video of Mao Zedong in which the late Chinese leader denounced American hostility toward China.
In the clip, criticising the US, Mao Zedong can be heard saying, 'We will fight until we completely triumph.'
We are Chinese. We are not afraid of provocations. We dont back down. pic.twitter.com/vPgifasYmI
Mao Ning (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) April 10, 2025
The fresh 125% tariff is the second hike in 24 hours. Earlier Wednesday, a 104% tariff on Chinese goods came into effect, prompting Beijing to announce reciprocal tariffs on American exports, escalating tensions further.
Trump’s announcement and China’s immediate reaction sent tremors through global markets. Investors braced for the impact of a drawn-out economic conflict between the two nations, which together account for over a third of global trade.
The Chinese government has yet to announce specific details of its countermeasures, but Mao Ning’s post suggests Beijing is preparing for a prolonged standoff.
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