China to File WTO Complaint Against Trump's Tariffs, Vows Retaliation

On the 1st (local time), as U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports as previously announced, China warned of a 'countermeasure.'

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce announced on its website on the 2nd, "The White House declared an additional 10% tariff on Chinese exports to the United States citing issues like fentanyl," and issued a statement expressing "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to this move.

President Trump has claimed that China supplies the raw materials for fentanyl.

The spokesperson raised concerns, stating, "The U.S.'s unilateral additional tariff actions seriously violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules," and "not only are they unhelpful in solving its own problems, but they also disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S."

Furthermore, the spokesperson warned, "China will file a complaint with the WTO against the U.S.'s wrongful actions," and "will take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its rights and interests."

The spokesperson added, "China hopes the U.S. will objectively and rationally view and handle its issues like fentanyl, and not threaten other countries with tariffs at every turn," urging the U.S. to "correct its wrongdoings, face China, and engage in honest dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual respect to manage differences."

Within China, Trump's tariff executive order was treated as breaking news. The state-run Xinhua News Agency pointed out that "such recent trade protection measures by the U.S. face widespread opposition both internationally and domestically," reiterating China's previous stance that "there are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars, and China has steadfastly defended its national interests."

The social media account New Tanqin, operated by Xinhua News Agency, suggested that "this might only be an appetizer for Trump, as the target he is preparing to wield his stick against is neither Canada nor Mexico, which were announced to face a 25% tariff that day, nor the great eastern power (China), but rather the ally Japan." It suggested that President Trump will pressure Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba under the banner of 'America First' when they meet at the White House on the 7th.

The account added, "We must calmly observe how Trump will wield his stick in the grand play that the U.S. and Japan will unfold."

Kim So-yeon, Hankyung.com reporter sue123@hankyung.com