China’s 84% tariff on all U.S. goods has officially gone into effect, escalating the trade war with Washington, while China has called for dialogue “on the basis of mutual respect and equality.”
The new tariff rate, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time (04:00 GMT) on Thursday, applies to all U.S. products entering China, the world’s second-largest economy. According to the U.S. Trade Representative, this amounted to $143.5 billion in goods last year.
This marks China’s second retaliatory tariff hike in response to U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, which now stand at 125%. In addition to the new tariffs, China has blacklisted 18 American companies, including aerospace manufacturer Sierra Nevada Corporation.
China’s Ministry of Commerce, in a statement on Thursday, emphasized that while the country is open to dialogue with the U.S., it must be based on mutual respect and equality.
Ministry spokesman He Yongqian stated that pressure, threats, and blackmail are not the appropriate way to engage with China, warning that China will “follow through to the end” if the U.S. continues to act unilaterally.
