China Warns of Countermeasures After Trump’s Announcement of New Tariffs Over Fentanyl Smuggling
China has responded strongly to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on Chinese goods, warning of “countermeasures” if the United States proceeds with its plan. On Thursday, Trump unveiled a new 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports in retaliation for the ongoing fentanyl smuggling crisis, which he attributed to China. This comes after a 10 percent tariff that was already imposed earlier in the month. In addition, Trump confirmed that his proposed 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada will take effect on March 4.
Trump’s announcement, made via his Truth Social account, claims the tariffs are necessary due to “very high and unacceptable levels” of fentanyl being smuggled into the United States. The new measures are part of his administration’s efforts to curb the opioid epidemic, which claimed over 74,000 lives from synthetic opioid overdoses in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
China’s Ministry of Commerce quickly reacted, refuting Trump’s claims and accusing the US of “shifting the blame and shirking responsibility.” The Chinese government highlighted that its drug control laws are among the strictest in the world and reaffirmed its commitment to combating fentanyl trafficking.
A ministry spokesperson stated, “China urges the US not to repeat its mistakes and to return to the correct path of resolving disputes through equal dialogue as soon as possible.” The statement further warned that if the US presses ahead with the tariff escalation, China would take all necessary countermeasures to protect its interests.
China also criticized the imposition of unilateral tariffs, asserting that such actions violate World Trade Organization rules and undermine the global trading system. The spokesperson emphasized that China has been actively collaborating with the US to address fentanyl trafficking, including adding fentanyl-related substances to its controlled substances list and engaging in “extensive, practical cooperation” in the field of drug control.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration has identified China as the primary source of precursor chemicals used by Mexican drug cartels to produce fentanyl. While the two nations have worked together on drug control initiatives, tensions have remained high over the issue of fentanyl, with the US accusing China of not doing enough to stop the flow of the deadly opioid.
This latest round of tariff threats has further escalated trade tensions between the US and China, adding another layer of complexity to the already strained relations between the two economic powers.
