‘Ask specific tax rate’: China asks US to stop ‘blackmailing’ after 245% tariffs | World News
China has offered a cautious response after a new US tariff rate of 245 per cent “as a result of its retaliatory actions” was revealed in a White House fact sheet on Wednesday.When asked about the figure, Chinese Foreign Minry spokesperson Lin Jian deflected, suggesting the US should clarify the number. “You can ask the US side for the ‘specific tax rate figures,’” he was quoted as saying Global Times.
During a press briefing earlier in day, Lin reiterated China’s position on the ongoing tariff dispute saying Washington should stop its practice of “maximum pressure” and give up threats and blackmail if it truly wants dialogue and negotiation.
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“The tariff war was initiated the US. China has taken necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, which is completely reasonable and legal. Tariff and trade wars have no winner. China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them,” he said.
Responding to White House comments on Tuesday saying it was up to Beijing to make the first move towards ending the dispute, Lin said, “If the US truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue, it must stop exerting maximum pressure,” adding that the ball was now in Washington’s court.
A statement from Trump read out Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that, “The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them.”
China now faces a steep 245 per cent tariff on exports to the US as the trade war between the two powers continues to escalate with little sign of resolution.Story continues below this ad
Previously, tit-for-tat exchanges had brought the US tariff rate on Chinese goods to 145 per cent, while China had imposed a 125 per cent duty on American imports. Beijing has also restricted exports of select materials critical to the aerospace and defence sectors.
At the same time, however, Beijing reported stronger-than-expected economic data — a 5.4 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter, with industrial output up 6.5 per cent and retail sales rising 4.6 per cent year-on-year.
Tit for tat
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have continued to intensify beyond trade, spilling into defence and military rhetoric as well. Recent accusations from the US over China’s alleged aggression in the Indo-Pacific — coupled with reports of a significant increase in American defence spending for 2026 — have drawn sharp rebukes from Chinese officials.
On Wednesday, China’s defence minry pushed back strongly. “The sky-high defence budget exposed once again the bellicose nature of the US side and its belief in ‘might makes right’,” said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the minry.Story continues below this ad
He added that the “wanton” use of force would not make America great again.
In line with his ‘liberation day’ vision, Trump has, since the start of the year, imposed a series of escalating tariffs on Chinese imports — alongside a 10 per cent ‘baseline’ duty applied to several other US trading partners. These tariffs began with cumulative 10 per cent hikes in February and March, followed a steep 34 per cent in April.
April 9, the cumulative tariff rate had crossed 100 per cent, triggering a sharp sell-off in markets globally — including within the US. While Trump has since paused several tariff orders, the measures targeting China remain firmly in place.
China quickly hit back. It suspended imports of US sorghum, poultry, and bonemeal, imposed trade restrictions on 27 American companies, and lodged a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization.Story continues below this ad
The deepening tariff war has also prompted Beijing to seek new allies. In recent weeks, China has reached out to India and the European Union in a bid to rally opposition to US trade pressure.
