As the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and China continues to escalate, President Xi Jinping has publicly asserted that China is “not afraid” of the mounting tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. His remarks, made during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, come as tensions rise following a recent announcement from the White House that tariffs on Chinese goods have been increased to an unprecedented 145%.
Xi, speaking via state broadcaster CCTV, emphasized the futility of a trade war, stating, “There are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self-isolation.” He reiterated that China’s economic development has historically relied on self-reliance and hard work, rejecting the idea that it depends on external support.
“Regardless of how the external environment changes, China will remain confident, stay focused, and concentrate on managing its own affairs well,” Xi added.
The backdrop to Xi’s comments is a sharp escalation in economic hostilities between the two nations. Following President Trump’s announcement of the 145% tariff on Chinese imports, which has sent shockwaves through international markets, China retaliated by raising its tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%. This tit-for-tat increase highlights the heightened stakes in a trade war that not only disrupts bilateral relations but threatens to upend global supply chains.
In a statement from China’s Finance Ministry, the government condemned the U.S. tariffs as “unilateral bullying and coercion,” arguing that such measures violate international trade rules and basic economic principles. The ministry criticized the Trump administration for singling out China while pausing reciprocal tariffs on many other countries, underscoring the perception of an unfair and aggressive approach from Washington.
As the trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies intensifies, fears of a global recession are mounting, with businesses and economists warning of potential long-term repercussions. The growing uncertainty around international trade policies continues to weigh heavily on markets, leaving many to speculate about the future of U.S.-China relations and its potentially damaging effect on the global economy.
