China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared that the nation will “fight to the end” against the United States in a “tariff war, trade war, or any other war,” marking the strongest statement from China regarding U.S. President Donald Trump since he took office. In response to Trump’s recent decision to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, raising the total tariff to 20%, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “Applying extreme pressure on China is misguided and miscalculated… If the U.S. has ulterior motives and insists on a tariff war, trade war, or any other conflict, China will fight to the end. We urge the U.S. to abandon its bullying tactics and return to a path of dialogue and cooperation promptly.”
Lin’s remarks about “any other war” were shared on social media and subsequently reposted by the Chinese embassy in the United States, which reinforced the message: “If war is what the U.S. desires, whether it be a tariff war, trade war, or any other type of conflict, we are prepared to fight until the end.” When asked to clarify his reference to “any other war,” Lin reiterated, “If the U.S. continues to harm China’s interests, we will fight to the end. We advise the U.S. to set aside its bullying demeanor and return to constructive dialogue and cooperation as soon as possible.”
China has strongly opposed Trump’s attempts to connect tariffs with the flow of fentanyl from China to the U.S., with Lin describing the fentanyl issue as “an excuse” for the U.S. to impose severe trade measures. In retaliation, China has enacted tariffs of up to 15% on various U.S. agricultural products.
On Wednesday, China’s State Council released a white paper titled “Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances – China’s Contribution,” asserting that “China rigorously fulfills its international drug control obligations” and that counter-narcotics efforts are a key area of cooperation between China and the U.S. In 2019, China classified all forms of fentanyl, becoming the only major country to permanently list these substances as controlled. However, the White House contends that “Chinese officials have not taken the necessary actions to curb the flow of precursor chemicals” to organized crime groups, including drug cartels in Mexico.
Lin’s assertive comments come during China’s largest annual political event, known as the “two sessions,” which includes meetings of the National People’s Congress and a top advisory body. These events are typically well-orchestrated and do not usually feature aggressive “wolf warrior” rhetoric like Lin’s statements. At the opening ceremony of the NPC, Premier Li Qiang presented the government’s work report, noting that the world is experiencing “changes unseen in a century.
