- China warns it is prepared for “any type” of war as trade tensions with the U.S. escalate.
- Beijing retaliates with new tariffs and boosts military spending by 7.2% for the second year.
- U.S.-China relations strain further amid economic and geopolitical conflicts.
China has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring its readiness to fight “any type” of war in response to President Donald Trump’s escalating trade tariffs.
The world’s two largest economies are teetering on the edge of a full-blown trade war after Trump imposed additional tariffs on all Chinese goods. In swift retaliation, Beijing announced tariffs of 10-15% on U.S. agricultural products.
“If war is what the U.S. wants—be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war—we are ready to fight till the end,” China’s embassy in Washington stated on X, echoing a government statement released Tuesday.
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The remarks mark some of the strongest rhetoric from Beijing since Trump took office and come as China’s leadership convenes in Beijing for the annual National People’s Congress (NPC).
On Wednesday, Premier Li Qiang announced that China would raise its defence budget by 7.2% for the second consecutive year, warning that “changes unseen in a century are unfolding across the world at a faster pace.” This increase aligns with last year’s figure and signals Beijing’s commitment to military expansion amid rising geopolitical tensions.
While China presents itself as a stable and peaceful global power, it continues to highlight U.S. involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Beijing is also carefully calibrating its rhetoric, potentially seeking to exploit Trump’s trade policies, which have strained relations with U.S. allies like Canada and Mexico.
Despite the combative stance on trade, Premier Li reaffirmed China’s commitment to economic openness, aiming to attract more foreign investment. However, concerns persist over China’s slowing economy, exacerbated by low consumer spending, a real estate crisis, and rising unemployment.
China has repeatedly emphasised its military preparedness. Last October, President Xi Jinping urged troops to intensify war readiness during military drills near Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing considers a breakaway province. However, analysts distinguish between military preparedness and an actual willingness to go to war.
The latest exchange of threats comes as diplomatic ties between Washington and Beijing remain strained. The Chinese embassy in Washington took another swipe at the U.S., reposting a foreign ministry statement that linked the fentanyl crisis to trade tensions.
“The fentanyl issue is a flimsy excuse to justify higher U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. “Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressuring, coercion, or threats are not the right way to deal with China.”
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The embassy’s post has gained widespread attention, fuelling concerns among China hawks in Trump’s administration, who increasingly view Beijing as America’s top foreign policy and economic rival.
Initially, officials in Beijing had hoped for a smoother relationship with Trump after he invited Xi to his inauguration and described their early interactions as “a great phone call.” However, plans for another discussion between the two leaders last month never materialised.
As thousands of delegates gather for the NPC, China has unveiled plans to inject billions into its struggling economy. Despite boasting the world’s second-largest defence budget at $245 billion, China’s official military spending remains a fraction of the U.S. budget. Analysts, however, believe Beijing underreports its actual defence expenditures.
