China Responds to Donald Trump’s 10% Tariff Plan, Vows to Protect National Interest

China Responds to Donald Trump: China on Wednesday responded to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats and Beijing was ready to "national interests" in the trade war after US President Donald Trump said that a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports could be imposed from February 1 onwards, reported news agency AFP.

China's foreign ministry stated that Beijing was "willing to maintain communication with the US, properly handle differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations" in addition to vowing to protect its "national interests."

"We have always believed that there are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war," spokesperson Mao Ning said, adding that China was "firmly committed to safeguarding national interests".

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This came after Mr Trump stirred the tariff pot again after taking office and on Tuesday said his administration was discussing a 10 per cent punitive duty on Chinese imports because fentanyl is being sent from China to the US via Mexico and Canada.

When asked how soon they could be put in place, he said: "Probably February 1st is the date we're looking at."

Donald Trump also claimed that during his first term he had reached an agreement with Xi over drug dealing but it was not followed up properly by Joe Biden.

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"I had a deal with him where he was going to give the maximum penalty, which in China is the death penalty, for drug dealing, and he was all set,” Trump said.

“He was going to give the maximum penalty to fentanyl dealers if they send to the United States, they were going to get the death penalty. And of course, Biden didn't pick that up. I had that deal all done. It was all wrapped up,” he added.

Mr Trump threatened to go even further during his election campaign, vowing even higher tariffs if he won another term in office.

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