China has fired back at the United States, condemning President Donald Trump’s latest tariff ultimatum as “blackmail nature,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.
The rebuke came a day after Trump warned Beijing of an additional 50% tariff if it doesn’t reverse its retaliatory duties on U.S. goods — a threat that has further strained already tense trade ties between the world’s two largest economies.
Calling Washington’s threats “a mistake on top of a mistake,” a ministry spokesperson urged the U.S. to return to dialogue, stressing that disputes should be resolved “on an equal footing and with mutual respect.”
The sharp rhetoric underscores how far the two powers remain from any resolution. The tit-for-tat measures have already triggered volatility in global markets and disrupted supply chains across multiple industries.
Trump’s escalating pressure is part of a wider push to secure what he calls “fair trade” with China, while Beijing has vowed to defend its interests without yielding to pressure.
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