The Chinese mainland has strongly condemned the United States for imposing additional tariffs on Chinese goods, citing the fentanyl issue as a pretext.
At a press conference during the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao emphasized that China has implemented rigorous controls over fentanyl-related chemicals and has enhanced international cooperation on drug control. He criticized the U.S. for using the fentanyl concern as an unjustified excuse to impose tariffs, labeling it an unfounded move.
The U.S. government announced a 10-percent tariff on all Chinese imports on Monday, citing fentanyl as the primary reason. In response, China released a white paper detailing its strict regulatory measures and commitment to global drug control efforts.
China also announced a series of countermeasures, including additional tariffs of 15 percent on imported chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and 10 percent on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Wang criticized the U.S. tariff policy as a "classic case of harming others without benefiting itself," noting that the announcement led to an immediate decline in the three major U.S. stock indices.
He reiterated that trade wars have no winners and that protectionism offers no viable path forward. Wang stated that the unilateral and coercive actions of the U.S. counter global trends and have drawn widespread concern and opposition from the international community.
Furthermore, Wang emphasized that U.S. trade and investment restrictions exemplify unilateralism and bullying, but such tactics are ineffective against China. He stressed the importance of China-U.S. cooperation, highlighting that the success of both nations presents mutual opportunities rather than threats. Cooperation between the two countries aligns with the fundamental interests of their peoples and the expectations of the international community.
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China condemns U.S. for using Fentanyl as excuse to impose tariffs
cgtn.com
