BEIJING, Apr 16 (Alliance News): China has reiterated its firm stance on the ongoing tariff dispute with the United States, stating that the trade war was initiated by Washington and that China’s countermeasures are justified.
During a routine press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Ji’an was asked to comment on the White House’s latest statement, which claimed that U.S. tariffs on China had increased to 245% due to Chinese countermeasures.
Lin responded by saying, “You should ask the U.S. side for the specific tax rate.” He emphasized that China has consistently expressed its strong opposition to the tariffs, adding, “This tariff war was started by the U.S.”
He said China had no choice but to take necessary countermeasures in order to safeguard its legitimate rights, interests, and uphold international justice. “Our response is entirely justified,” he stated.
China and the U.S. have been locked in a prolonged trade conflict since 2018, with both sides imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods. Despite several rounds of negotiations, tensions remain high, especially on sensitive issues such as technology and national security.
