China isn’t flinching as its foreign ministry made it clear on the 17th of April, 2025: “China will pay no attention if the United States continues to play the tariff numbers game.”
This came after Washington rolled out a harsh tariff breakdown, with penalties reaching as high as 245% in response to what the White House calls China’s retaliatory stance.
A fact sheet released on the 15th of April, 2025, by the White House showed that:
• China now faces a new 125% reciprocal tariff
• There’s a 20% tariff tied to the fentanyl crisis
• Other goods attract additional tariffs ranging from 7.5% to 100%, targeting alleged unfair trade practices.
Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump hit all countries with blanket tariffs, only to backpedal on most sparing dozens while keeping China in the crosshairs.
In return, Beijing hiked its own tariffs on American products. It has refused to resume talks, insisting discussions must be built on “mutual respect and equality.”
The global response has shifted. Several countries are now turning to Washington for one-on-one trade agreements.
READ ALSO: Trump Targets All Mineral Imports in New Tariff Probe
Amid growing trade friction, China filed a new case with the World Trade Organization last week. It accused the U.S. of breaching WTO rules and raised concerns over what it calls unjustified trade pressure.
In a surprise move, Beijing replaced its seasoned trade lead, Wang Shouwen, with Li Chenggang its current representative to the WTO signaling a possible recalibration of its negotiation strategy.
While the U.S. says Trump remains open to striking a deal, the message is clear: China should take the initiative.
As Trump reportedly said, Beijing “needed their money.”
The ball, it seems, is in China’s court but it’s not clear they are interested in playing.