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China has vowed not to back down from retaliatory measures against the United States following President Trump’s latest threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, the US recently imposed tariffs on nearly all foreign imports, with baseline rates set at 10% and much steeper, country-specific increases—such as a potential 104% total tariff on Chinese goods. President Trump has defended the move as necessary to correct long-standing trade imbalances and to crack down on unfair practices like currency manipulation and export subsidies. While some countries have signaled a willingness to negotiate quickly, others, like China, have responded aggressively, escalating a tit-for-tat tariff war that has further strained relations. Some have speculated that Trump’s broader strategy is to slow China’s growth, undermine its manufacturing dominance, and trigger a realignment in global supply chains that favors domestic US production.

What’s going on now: In response to President Trump’s vow to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports, China warned that it intended to match US actions and escalate countermeasures if necessary. The Ministry of Commerce condemned the US tariffs as “completely groundless and a typical unilateral bullying practice,” accusing the US of engaging in economic coercion rather than legitimate negotiation. In a statement, the Ministry said, “The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US. China will never accept this. If the US insists on its own way, China will fight to the end.”

Chinese officials stressed that their retaliatory actions are both measured and justified. They said, “The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian added, “If the U.S. insists on waging a tariff war, a trade war, China will fight till the end.”

Beyond the economic implications, China is framing the standoff as a moral and political struggle against US “hegemony.” Officials have painted the Trump administration’s approach as destabilizing and selfish, with Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee calling the tariffs “ruthless behavior” that “has damaged global and multilateral trade.”

This all comes as the Trump administration has confirmed that the new tariffs will go into effect immediately. While speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that China missed President Trump’s deadline to remove their retaliatory tariff and would move forward with a 104% tariff on Chinese goods.

In a statement, she said, “Countries like China, who have chosen to retaliate, and try to double down on their mistreatment of American workers are making a mistake. President Trump has a spine of steel and he will not break, and America will not break under his leadership. He is guided by a firm belief that America must be able to produce essential goods for our own people and export them to the rest of the world.”