The Chinese government is filing legal action against the United States with the World Trade Organization over President Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on all Chinese imports.
Trump announced on Saturday that he placed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods in addition to the 25% tariffs he implemented on Mexican and Canadian imports, though Canadian energy resources will only face a 10% tariff. In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce vowed to file a lawsuit against the United States for its “wrong practices.”
The statement also accused the United States of being in violation of trade rules sanctioned by the WTO, and stated the country planned to take “corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests.”
PRICES ON THESE ITEMS COULD BE AFFECTED BY TRUMP TARIFFS ON MEXICO, CANADA
“The unilateral tariff increase by the United States seriously violates WTO rules,” the statement, translated into English, read. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also undermines the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States.”
In a post to Truth Social, Trump said he implemented the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) “because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl.”
“We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all,” Trump wrote. “I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.”
China is the primary source of fentanyl, according to the DEA. The precursor chemicals for the drugs are typically shipped to Mexico and are laced into drugs like heroin or pressed into pills.
In 2023, more than 107,000 people died of a drug overdose, with nearly 70% of those deaths caused by opioids such as fentanyl, according to the DEA.
Last year, the U.S. government seized more than 80 million fentanyl-laced pills, which was equivalent to 367 million deadly doses.
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However, despite China being found responsible for subsidizing the fentanyl trade, its Ministry of Commerce says they should not be held accountable for the fentanyl crisis in America.
“China hopes that the US will objectively and rationally view and deal with its own problems such as fentanyl, instead of threatening other countries with tariffs,” the Chinese spokesperson said in the statement. “China urges the US to correct its wrong practices, work with China halfway, face problems, have frank dialogues, strengthen cooperation, and manage differences on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect.”
