China warns US of countermeasures if Trump doesn't walk back 100% tariff threat

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Source: CNN Business

Updated Oct 12, 2025, 2:26 AM ET
PUBLISHED Oct 12, 2025, 1:48 AM ET


Hong Kong - Beijing has vowed countermeasures against Washington if US President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese imports.

Trump’s latest threat came after China unleashed a raft of export restrictions on rare earth minerals last week. The escalating tensions threaten to derail months of progress in trade talks.

“Resorting to threats of high tariffs is not the right way to engage with China,” a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said Sunday, in Beijing’s first comments on the threat. “If the US persists in acting unilaterally, China will resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the spokesperson added. “Our position on a tariff war remains consistent – we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The rapid escalation of trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies has sunk stocks, rattling investors and industries by igniting fears of a repeat of the tit-for-tat tariff battle in spring, when levies on Chinese and American imports soared to around 145% and 120% respectively.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/12/business/china-warns-us-of-counter-actions-if-trump-doesnt-walk-back-his-100-tariff-threat