China has strongly opposed the new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing to take “corresponding countermeasures” to protect its interests. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that it would file a lawsuit against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over what it called a “wrongful practice.”
“China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese goods,” the ministry said in a statement, as reported by the Global Times. Trump announced on Saturday that, starting Tuesday, the U.S. would levy an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported from China, on top of existing duties. He also revealed plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from both Canada and Mexico.
The U.S. government claimed these measures were necessary to hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable for addressing illegal immigration and curbing the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. According to a White House statement, Chinese officials have failed to prevent the shipment of precursor chemicals to criminal cartels, or to combat money laundering by transnational criminal organizations.
In response, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the additional tariffs were counterproductive and would harm future cooperation on drug control. “The unilateral imposition of tariffs by the U.S. seriously violates WTO rules. It does not contribute to resolving its own issues, but also undermines economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.,” a foreign ministry statement read. The Chinese government emphasized that “there are no winners in a trade war,” and cautioned that the new duties would “inevitably affect and damage future bilateral cooperation on drug control.”
Trump’s tariff actions were taken under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives the U.S. president broad powers to address perceived economic threats.
Meanwhile, in Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo condemned Trump’s accusations that the Mexican government is linked to criminal organizations. She announced that Mexico would impose retaliatory tariffs and proposed the creation of a joint working group with the U.S. to address common concerns, including public health and security. Sheinbaum called Trump’s remarks “slander” and rejected any suggestions of intervention in Mexico’s territory. She also pointed to the U.S. role in supplying high-powered weapons to criminal groups, citing evidence from the U.S. Department of Justice.
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the new U.S. tariffs by announcing retaliatory measures. He stated that Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods, with the first set of tariffs taking effect on Tuesday. “This will include immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods, followed by further tariffs on $125 billion worth of American products in 21 days, allowing Canadian companies to seek alternatives,” Trudeau explained in a news conference on Saturday night.
The ongoing tariff disputes highlight rising tensions in international trade relations, with all three countries planning to take strong counteractions against the U.S. measures.
