As Trump’s tariffs target key trading partners, Canada and China lead a growing wave of economic pushback, highlighting the mounting global opposition to US protectionist policies.
By PC Bureau
In a bold counteroffensive against President Donald Trump‘s tariff campaign, China announced on Tuesday that it will impose retaliatory tariffs on key US exports, including a 15% levy on coal and LNG products and a 10% tariff on crude oil. The move comes in response to Trump’s recent decision to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, set to go into effect the same day.
China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a strong statement condemning the US tariffs, declaring them a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also damages normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US,” the ministry said.
Further intensifying the standoff, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced an antitrust investigation into Google, just minutes after the US tariffs took effect. While the announcement did not explicitly reference tariffs, its timing suggests a strategic move in the escalating trade conflict.
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Global Pushback Against Trump’s Tariffs
China’s actions follow a wave of international resistance to Trump’s aggressive trade policies. Over the weekend, the White House implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, in addition to the 10% tariff on Chinese goods. President Trump defended the measures as a necessary step to address illegal immigration and combat the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the US.
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However, Beijing, echoing sentiments from other global leaders, warned that “there is no winner in a trade war.” Fu Cong, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasized that the tariffs are counterproductive. “We are firmly opposed to this unwarranted increase, and we do believe that this is in violation of WTO rules,” Fu said, adding that China is filing a formal complaint at the WTO and “may be forced to take countermeasures.”
Global Economic Ripple Effects
The Chinese envoy’s remarks highlight mounting concerns over the broader economic impact of Trump’s trade policies. “Frankly speaking, I don’t think that raising tariffs is beneficial to the US itself,” Fu added, urging the US to find mutually beneficial solutions.
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As global markets brace for further turmoil, China’s latest response underscores an emerging pattern: world powers are increasingly hitting back at Trump’s trade war tactics. With Canada, Mexico, and now China pushing back, the stage is set for heightened economic tensions that could shape international trade for years to come.
Canada’s Pushback Against Trump’s Tariffs
Earlier, Canada, one of America’s largest trading partners, Â responded decisively to President Trump’s aggressive trade measures. After the US imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, the Canadian government retaliated with its own set of counter-tariffs targeting American goods, including agricultural products, consumer goods, and metal exports. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the tariffs “unacceptable” and emphasized that Canada will “stand up for its workers and industries.”
In addition to economic measures, Canada has taken a more assertive diplomatic stance. Trudeau’s administration has strengthened alliances with other trading nations and pursued deeper engagements with Europe and Asia to reduce its economic reliance on the United States. The Canadian government has also filed complaints with the World Trade Organization, arguing that Trump’s tariffs violate international trade agreements and disrupt global market stability. Canada’s countermeasures reflect a growing international resolve to confront America’s protectionist agenda.