China’s Global Times has issued a warning that the U.S. economy could face severe repercussions due to retaliatory high tariffs from other nations. The editorial underscores the potential for escalating trade conflicts as countries respond to U.S. tariffs on imports with their own levies on American goods. With President Donald Trump recently reinstating himself in the White House, several global trade relationships have become strained, as he threatens reciprocal tariffs on any country imposing tariffs on U.S. imports.
These measures could potentially take effect by April 2. Beijing has already initiated countermeasures against the initial rounds of tariffs imposed by Trump, indicating an immediacy in their response to any further trade restrictions. The Global Times editorial explicitly states that “U.S.
trading partners will not sit idly by” and that retaliation through high tariffs is a viable option for these countries. In response to U.S. tariffs, China has already enacted various measures, including levies on agricultural and food exports from the U.S. Additionally, Beijing has placed restrictions on 25 U.S. firms, suspended import licenses for three American soybean exporters, and ceased imports of U.S. logs, along with launching investigations into certain U.S. fibre optic products. To support Chinese trading companies in dealing with these external pressures, the Chinese commerce ministry is planning a series of initiatives to help them boost sales domestically.
According to reports associated with state broadcaster CCTV, many nations are actively seeking to diversify their economic relations and lessen dependence on the U.S. through the formation of new trade partnerships.