‘Will become a joke’: China’s blunt response to Trump’s 145% tariff, counters with 125% on US goods

China on Friday hit back at the United States with a 125% tariff on American goods, saying that it will “ignore” further hikes and accusing Washington of economic bullying and coercion. The response follows President Donald Trump’s decision to raise duties on Chinese imports to 145%, in what Beijing has called a gross violation of international trade rules.
“The successive imposition of excessively high tariffs on China by the US has become nothing more than a numbers game, with no real economic significance. It merely further exposes the US practice of weaponizing tariffs as a tool of bullying and coercion, turning itself into a joke,” a spokesperson from China’s commerce ministry said.
China’s state council tariff commission confirmed the new duties would take effect on Saturday. Officials also said the move was designed to safeguard the nation’s interests amid what they called “completely unilateral” action by Washington.
“If the US insists on continuing this numbers game with tariffs, China will not engage. However, if the US persists in substantively harming China’s interests, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight to the end.”
President Xi Jinping also broke his silence on the trade war, telling Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that China is “not afraid” of unjust pressure. “There are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self-isolation,” Xi said, adding, “For over 70 years, China’s development has relied on self-reliance and hard work — never on handouts from others.”
Beijing further criticised the US for sparing other countries from similar tariffs, attributing the temporary freeze to pressure from China and others. “Under pressure from China and other parties, the United States has temporarily suspended the imposition of high reciprocal tariffs on some trading partners. This is only a small symbolic step,” said a Commerce Ministry spokesperson.
State media reported that China would also file a complaint with the World Trade Organization, seeking to challenge the legality of the US tariffs. Meanwhile, Xi is preparing to visit Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia next week, aiming to bolster regional ties as the trade dispute escalates.
In urging the EU to form a united front against the US, Xi warned of “unilateral bullying” and called for joint efforts to protect international fairness. “China and Europe should fulfil their international responsibilities... and jointly resist unilateral bullying practices,” Xi said.