Trump Tariffs Live Updates: ‘Stop threatening & blackmailing,’ China tells Trump amid trade war

Trump Tariffs Live Updates: China has warned it is “not afraid” of a trade war with the United States, calling instead for dialogue grounded in “equality, respect, and mutual benefit.” The remarks from foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian came after US President Donald Trump asserted it was Beijing’s responsibility to rejoin negotiations. The escalating tensions follow China’s retaliatory moves, which led to a tariff burden of up to 245% on its exports to the US—up from the earlier 145%, according to a White House fact sheet.

Trump has pushed ahead with his “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” to address trade imbalances and non-reciprocal agreements. A 10% baseline tariff now applies across the board, while individualised higher tariffs target nations with significant trade surpluses against the US, including China. Although 75 countries have initiated discussions with Washington to resolve disputes and avoid tariffs, China has not been among them, the White House noted.

The trade standoff has triggered global market instability. Equity markets in Asia, Europe, and the US have witnessed sharp declines amid fears of rising inflation and slowed economic growth. The Trump administration has maintained that the tariff moves are necessary to protect American industry and national security. President Trump has also reiterated his stance on applying matching tariffs to other trading partners, including India, insisting on fair treatment in global trade. While other nations are negotiating, the deadlock with China threatens to deepen an already tense economic standoff.

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