China sharply criticized the United States over its latest round of steep tariffs, labeling the move as “economic bullying.” In response, Beijing has called for an emergency session at the United Nations, signaling a major escalation in global trade tensions. The move comes as the Biden-Trump transition period further complicates diplomatic dynamics between the world’s two largest economies.
U.S. Imposes New Tariffs on Chinese Imports
Earlier this week, the U.S. administration announced tariffs as high as 145% on a wide range of Chinese goods, including:
- Electric vehicles (EVs)
- Semiconductors
- Steel and aluminum products
- Pharmaceutical ingredients
The goal, according to Washington, is to “level the playing field” and protect domestic manufacturing from “unfair Chinese subsidies and dumping practices.”
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi publicly condemned the tariffs, stating:
“These unilateral measures are nothing short of economic coercion. The U.S. continues to weaponize trade under the guise of fairness.”
Beijing has:
- Lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Proposed a UN Security Council informal session on April 23 to address “economic aggression”
- Threatened countermeasures, including higher tariffs on U.S. agricultural and tech imports
As part of his “Fair and Reciprocal Plan,” Trump has sought to rectify what he perceives as an unfair trade imbalance due to non-reciprocal arrangements. A baseline 10% tariff is now applied to all foreign imports, while some countries, including China, face steeper targeted tariffs due to their large trade surpluses with the U.S. The White House noted that although more than 75 countries have started talking with Washington in an attempt to settle disputes and avoid facing tariffs, China has yet to join the conversation.
Global markets have become volatile due to the ongoing trade standoff. Asian, European, and U.S. markets have all seen significant slumps due to the fear of increased inflation rates and slower growth in economy. The ratio of tariffs imposed Trump bullishly defended as required to defend American military-industrial capitalization complex. Also, President Trump continues to emphasize his point of imposing reciprocal tariffs
Global Impact of U.S.-China Trade Tensions Supply Chain Disruptions the new tariffs could cause it may Delays in the EV and electronics markets and will Price hikes in consumer goods and Instability in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
“Trump said that if we don’t make a deal so we will set a limit and a tariff. He also said that we will set some parameters and make a deal with them. China always has power and right not to do it, so we will have right to say we don’t want it, we are American consumers we have things which no one else has”
