China renews threat to retaliate against US tariffs

Taipei (Taiwan), Feb 3: US President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada, Mexico and China is ramping up over the production and importation of the opiate fentanyl, along with trade surpluses and illegal border crossings by migrants from across the globe.

What has been China’s reaction so far?

China has reiterated its threat to take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests” following Trump’s decision to impose 10 per cent tariffs on China for allegedly doing too little to stem the production of precursor chemicals for fentanyl.

The Foreign Ministry statement issued Sunday did not mention any specific retaliatory measures, but said “China calls on the United States to correct its wrongdoings, maintain the hard-won positive dynamics in the counter-narcotics cooperation, and promote a steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relationship.”

China says the US action violates World Trade Organisation rules and has vowed to bring a case before the body that governs global commerce.

The Ministry of Public Security on Sunday made near identical charges and the Commerce Ministry also issued a closely worded statement.

Who does China say is to blame?

Trump accuses China of allowing the production of fentanyl, which is then made into tablets in Mexico and smuggled into and distributed throughout the US, which records some 70,000 overdose deaths from the drug annually.

China says the US must hold itself to account instead of “threatening other countries with arbitrary tariff hikes,” the Foreign Ministry said. “The United States needs to view and solve its own fentanyl issue in an objective and rational way … (China is) one of the world’s toughest countries on counter-narcotics both in terms of policy and its implementation.”

Experts say China executes an unknown number of people each year for smuggling drugs, but domestic drug use is relatively low.

The Ministry of Public Security statement said the US has not reported any fentanyl precursor seizures originating in China since Beijing began to take legal action.

What other issues may be having an impact on the dispute?

China’s enormous trade deficit with the U.S., which reached nearly USD 1 trillion last year, has been a constant target of Trump’s complaints. Tariffs would make Chinese goods more expensive for US consumers, who will ultimately have to pay a significant part of the cost of importing everything from toys to clothing.

China’s vital export market could be impacted if US consumers decide to “buy American.” The Chinese domestic economy has failed to respond to a range of government-backed stimuli, while foreign infrastructure projects and other major government initiatives that add to the country’s already high public debt threaten more economic stagnation.

That is already starting to derail Chinese President Xi Jinping’s push to overtake the US in key economic and political indicators, threatening his ultimate ambition to conquer the island republic of Taiwan and assert Chinese primacy in the Indo-Pacific region.

Stopping illegal immigration has also been one of Trump’s core political messages, and was named in tariff actions against US neighbours Mexico and Canada. Illegal arrivals from China are considered a fraction of such numbers, but Trump has put virtually every country on notice that he will hold them accountable for their nationals who enter the US outside the law. (AP)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

State lost Rs 1577-cr revenue in 2022-23: CAG

Shillong, Mar 13: Meghalaya has lost revenue to the...

97.5% land handed over to NHIDCL: Govt

Shillong, Mar 13: Land acquisition for construction of the...

No plan for landfill site at Mawkhanu: Dhar

Shillong, Mar 13: The state government has no plan...

Work on PHC in progress: Ampareen

Shillong, Mar 13: Upgradation of Manggakgre Sub-Centre in West...

3,000 recruitments in police by June: Dy CM

Shillong, Mar 13: The process of recruitment in over...

State seeks joint plan with Assam on Byrnihat pollution

Shillong, Mar 13: Meghalaya has put forward a joint...

Magnificent Obsession bags coveted Meghalaya Icon 2025 title

Shillong, Mar 13: Magnificent Obsession’s message of hope, resilience...

USTM students battle it out for the ultimate Ein-King trophy

Shillong, Mar 13: Celebrating the enduring legacy of Albert...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img