'Stop threatening and blackmailing': China remains defiant after White House says 'tariffs now up to 245%'

China on Wednesday responded to the White House’s statement claiming that Beijing now faces up to 245% tariffs on imports to the United States as a result of the former’s retaliatory actions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China was "not afraid" to fight a trade war with the United States and reiterated calls for dialogue.

“The tariff war was initiated by the US. China has taken necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, which is completely reasonable and legal. Tarff and trade wars have no winner. China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them,” stated the Global Times report, quoting Jian.

This came after a White House statement mentioned that “China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions”.

Reiterating the call for dialogue, Jian said that if the US really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, “it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and talk to China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit.”