China: More Countermeasures Against US Products Possible

The negative impact on economies will be significant for the US, as other countries impose retaliatory measures on American products, according to Chinese media reports. Beijing is reportedly considering further actions against the United States. Since his return to the White House, President Donald Trump has sparked a trade war with China, Canada, Mexico, and the EU by imposing tariffs on imports. These tariffs are set to begin on April 2. China quickly responded with countermeasures in February and March when two rounds of tariffs were imposed by Trump. It’s widely expected that Beijing will retaliate swiftly if the April tariffs take effect. ‘In response to U.S. tariffs, American trading partners will not sit idly by,’ states an opinion piece in the Global Times. ‘High tariffs on U.S. exports could be an option for many countries,’ it adds. China has already imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products and food exports, restricted exports and investments in 25 American companies, suspended import licenses for soybeans from three U.S. firms, and frozen timber imports from the U.S. Additionally, investigations have been launched into certain American optical fiber products. To help foreign companies operating in China withstand external shocks, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce will implement measures to assist them in expanding sales within the country, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to CCTV. ‘Many countries are seeking alternative economic partnerships to reduce their reliance on the U.S. by forming new trade alliances,’ wrote the Global Times.