Here’s how China has responded to Donald Trump’s latest 25% tariffs on aluminium and steel imports

On Wednesday, March 12, Donald Trump's global tariffs on aluminium and steel took effect. Nearly all the United States' trade allies have faced a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium exports, except China. It is the only country whose aluminium and steel products are subject to higher tariffs, with a total rate of 45 per cent. This comes as a result of a 20 per cent across-the-board duty imposed much before March 12, followed by the latest additional 25 per cent tariff.

Image soure: Freepik

What is China's reaction to it? The country has vowed to implement retaliatory measures in response to Donald Trump's latest 25 per cent tariff imposed on its aluminium and steel exports to the United States.

During a press conference, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said, "China will take all the necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."

According to Mao, the United States' latest impost applicable to all countries is against the guidelines of the World Trade Organisation, and it is severely harmful to the rule-based multilateral trade system. Reiterating Beijing's stance against protectionism, Mao said they would take all necessary measures to protect rights and interests.

She further said, "No one wins in a trade war or a tariff war, a view widely shared by the international community."

In early March, following Donald Trump's initial 20 per cent tariff imposed on China, the latter retaliated by announcing 15 per cent tariffs on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton imports from the United States. In addition, a 10 per cent duty was imposed on the United States' sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, had said: "China will fight till the end" if the US "insists on waging a tariff war, trade war or any other kind of war."

As further retaliation, China also stopped lumber imports from the United States, suspending permits of three US companies to export soybeans, and initiated an anti-dumping investigation into the imports of American fibre optic products.

In response to Trump's worldwide tariffs, the United States' other trade partners, like the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico, also responded with retaliatory measures. While the EU announced tariffs on $28 billion worth of products, including Kentucky bourbon, jeans, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Canada levied tariffs targeting $20.6 billion worth of US imports.