China has issued stern warnings to countries that negotiate trade deals with the United States that undermine Chinese interests. The warning comes in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive new tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports, while offering exemptions to other countries if they reduce economic ties with China.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Monday that any country seeking trade concessions from Washington at the expense of China would face “resolute and reciprocal countermeasures.” Nearly 50 nations are reportedly in talks with Washington, with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia considering increasing imports of American products such as LNG, soybeans, and rice in exchange for tariff exemptions.
Trump insists negotiations with Beijing are underway, saying he believes a deal is possible. However, Chinese officials have not confirmed these talks and continue to denounce what they call economic “bullying.”
