'Threatening high tariffs not right': China rejects US sanctions, vows to protect its legitimate rights and interests

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian (Image: @MFA_China/X)

China has dismissed the latest round of sanctions and trade restrictions from Washington, insisting it will respond to defend its national interests. In a message posted on X, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian wrote, "China firmly rejects the recent U.S. restrictions and sanctions on China, and will do what is necessary to protect its legitimate rights and interests."

Warning the US against economic pressure tactics, Lin said, "threatening high tariffs is not the right way to deal with China," while urging the United States to "correct its approach and act on the common understandings the two presidents reached in their phone calls." He noted that both nations "can and should address each other's concerns through dialogue and manage differences on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit to keep bilateral ties on a steady, sound and sustainable track."

The exchange of statements unfolded amid a new jolt in US-China relations triggered by President Donald Trump’s recent tariff threats. On Truth Social, Trump adopted a more conciliatory tone, writing, "Don't worry about China, it will all be fine! Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment. He doesn't want Depression for his country, and neither do I. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!! President DJT." A separate post by the White House on X said, "It is impossible to believe that China would have taken such an action, but they have, and the rest is History. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

Tensions spiked when Trump threatened to impose fresh 100 per cent tariffs on imports from China. According to CNN, Beijing immediately warned it would hit back if Washington proceeded. This flare-up followed China’s announcement of new export curbs on rare earth minerals just a week ago -- controls that rattled global supply chains and revived fears of another bruising trade conflict.

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce echoed Beijing’s firm line, insisting, "Resorting to threats of high tariffs is not the right way to engage with China." The spokesperson continued, "If the US persists in acting unilaterally, China will resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Our position on a tariff war remains consistent -- we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one."

CNN noted that the latest confrontation between the two leading world economies sent a shockwave through international markets, dragging down stocks and prompting concern over a possible repeat of the earlier tariff showdown in which duties climbed to around 145 per cent on Chinese goods and 120 per cent on US products.

The uncertainty now hovers over a planned meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea in two weeks. However, reports suggest Trump has cast doubt over the encounter after China's rare earth measures, raising questions about the future of strained diplomatic efforts between Washington and Beijing.

With inputs from ANI