China's Foreign Minister vows to counter Trump’s tariffs, accusing the U.S. of "repaying good with evil."

China's top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, has responded sharply to growing U.S. pressure, declaring that Beijing will “firmly counter” any measures from the United States, particularly after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese goods. Wang also condemned Washington for what he described as "meeting good with evil" by provoking a trade war between the two largest economies in the world.

During a press conference on the sidelines of an important political meeting in Beijing on Friday, Wang warned that if nations were to pursue purely self-interested actions, the "law of the jungle" could dominate the global order. His comments underscore the escalating trade tensions that have developed between China and the U.S. in recent years.

Ongoing Tariff Retaliations

The United States and China have been locked in a cycle of retaliatory tariffs ever since President Trump’s return to office in January. The U.S. has imposed flat tariffs of 20 percent on all Chinese imports, and in retaliation, China has slapped an additional 15 percent duty on a wide array of U.S. imports, including chicken, pork, soybeans, and beef. China has also expanded controls on U.S. companies operating within its borders.

Wang emphasized the reciprocal nature of economic and trade ties between the two nations. He stated, "China-U.S. economic and trade ties are mutual. If you choose to cooperate, you can achieve mutually beneficial and win-win results. If you use only pressure, China will firmly counter."

Disagreement on Fentanyl Issue

Another point of contention is U.S. President Trump's assertion that the new U.S. tariffs were in part a response to China's failure to help tackle the American fentanyl crisis. Wang rejected this claim, stating that the issue of fentanyl abuse is something the U.S. needs to solve on its own. He stressed that China had already made efforts to assist in addressing the problem, and it was unjust for the U.S. to "repay kindness with resentment" by imposing tariffs without valid justification.

No Room for Dual Policies

Wang also made it clear that no country could expect to suppress China on one hand while maintaining friendly relations on the other. "No country can imagine that it can suppress China on one hand while developing good relations with China on the other hand," he asserted.

Despite the tensions, Wang remained hopeful that there was still potential for cooperation between the two countries, noting that both nations share "broad common interests and space for cooperation."

U.S. Poised to Impose More Tariffs

While these comments came amid ongoing trade conflicts, reports suggest the Trump administration may be planning to escalate the situation further. According to Reuters, Washington is preparing to implement new tariffs aimed at undermining China's dominance in the global shipping industry. The draft executive order reportedly proposes charging fees for docking at U.S. ports for ships that are part of a fleet with Chinese-built or Chinese-flagged vessels. The U.S. would also seek to push its allies to adopt similar measures, with retaliation for those who do not comply.

The move is seen as part of a broader strategy to revive the U.S. domestic shipbuilding industry and reduce China's grip on the global shipping market. Chinese shipbuilders now account for more than 50 percent of all merchant vessel cargo capacity produced worldwide, a dramatic increase from just 5 percent in 1999.

Global Implications

These trade tensions have far-reaching consequences, not only for the U.S. and China but for the global economy as a whole. As the world watches the ongoing economic standoff, the potential for further escalation remains high, with both countries maintaining strong rhetoric and mutually reinforcing tariffs. Despite their differences, however, both sides seem to acknowledge that the stakes are too high for a full breakdown in relations.