China Hits Back: Stop the Threats, Trump!

Tensions between the United States and China have flared up again, with Beijing firing back at US President Donald Trump over steep new tariffs.

China is accusing Washington of using threats and pressure tactics instead of engaging in fair negotiations.

On Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian urged the US to end what he called “threatening and blackmailing” behavior. This came after President Trump declared that it was up to China to come to the table and resolve their ongoing trade dispute.

“If the US truly wants to resolve this through dialogue, it should stop using extreme pressure and start negotiating with mutual respect,” Lin said.

Earlier this year, Trump slapped an additional 145% tariff on many Chinese goods, on top of already-existing levies. Beijing responded with its own retaliatory tariffs of 125% on US exports. The result? A deepening trade war that experts warn could tip the global economy into a recession.

A Trade War With Global Impact

The trade war is already sending shockwaves across Asia. Chip stocks fell sharply after Nvidia projected a $5.5 billion hit from a new US licensing rule on high-tech exports to China.

Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Honda announced it would move production of some hybrid models from Japan to the US, though the company said the decision was based on long-term strategy, not just trade issues.

China reported a better-than-expected 5.4% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2025. Analysts believe exporters rushed shipments before new US tariffs kicked in, boosting output temporarily.

But experts warn the real impact of April’s tariff escalation will show up in the next quarter, with investment likely to slow and exports hit hard.

The Global Response

Japan and South Korea are watching closely. Japanese negotiator Ryosei Akazawa, who’s meeting US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, said he’s hopeful for a “win-win” outcome.

South Korea’s finance minister Choi Sang-mok said his priority is to delay any reciprocal tariffs and reduce uncertainty for Korean companies operating worldwide.

Back in Washington, Trump’s administration is pushing ahead with more trade probes. A new investigation could lead to tariffs on critical minerals, rare-earth metals, and even smartphones.

While some tech products like laptops and phones have received temporary exemptions, the message from Washington is clear: the pressure on China isn’t going away anytime soon.