China promised to take “resolute and forceful” measures to safeguard its interests after US tariffs totalling 104 per cent came into effect Wednesday but stopped short of announcing any new import taxes on America. US President Donald Trump’s explosive new tariffs on 60 countries came into effect just after midnight Wednesday US time.
The new tariff includes stiff new levies that will increase import taxes on Chinese goods by at least 104 per cent. The additional tariffs on China kicked in after Beijing refused to meet Trump’s deadline to withdraw its own retaliatory levies on the US.
Asked why China has not slapped retaliatory tariffs after Tuesday’s assertions to fight till the end and whether the two countries are holding talks to resolve the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here “China continues to take firm and resolute measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests”.
“We will not tolerate any attempt to harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests”, he said.