‘Will not sit back’: China's BIG warning to Donald Trump after US imposes 125% tariffs

After Donald Trump imposed a punishing 125 per cent tariff on Chinese goods, Beijing on Thursday warned that American tariffs go "against the whole world", reported AFP.

Speaking to reporters, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said, as AFP quoted, "The US tariffs seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system, and seriously impact the stability of the global economic order."

“If the US side truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should show an attitude of equality, respect, and mutual benefit. If the US side disregards the interests of the two countries and the international community and insists on waging a tariff war and a trade war, China's response will continue to the end,” Lin said.

"This is a blatant act that goes against the will of the world and goes against the whole world," he added.

China not interested in a fight

On Thursday, the Chinese foreign ministry said in reply to questions about the US tariffs that the country is not interested in a fight but will not fear if the United States continues its tariff threats.

"The US cause doesn't win the support of the people and will end in failure," Lin Jian said at a regular press conference, as quoted by Reuters.

He further noted that China would not sit back and let the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be deprived.

Earlier in the day, China's commerce ministry said China is open to dialogue with the US; however, this must be based on mutual respect and equality.

When asked whether the world's two largest economies have started tariff negotiations, China's commerce ministry spokesperson He Yongqian told a regular press briefing, "Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China."

"China will follow through to the end if the US insists on its own way," he said.

China reaches out to other nations

China is currently reaching out to other nations in an attempt to form a united front and compel Washington to retreat.

On Wednesday, President Trump backed off his tariffs on most nations for 90 days and said countries were lining up to negotiate more favourable conditions.

China has retaliated with 84 per cent tariffs on US goods, which took effect on Thursday.

So far, China has focused on Europe, with a phone call between Premier Li Qiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“China is willing to work with the EU to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of China and the EU, strengthen communication and exchanges, and deepen China-EU trade, investment and industrial cooperation,” the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Australia on Thursday declined China's proposal to work together to counter US tariffs.

Referring to the Chinese ambassador's proposal for countries to "join hands" on trade, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told Sky News, "We are not going to be holding hands with China in respect of any contest that is going on in the world."

"We are not doing that. What we are doing is pursuing Australia's national interests and diversifying our trade around the world."

With agency inputs.