Beijing: China’s Foreign Minister delivered scathing remarks on Wednesday, characterizing a recent U.S. decision to escalate tariffs on Chinese imports as an indication of weakness rather than strength, suggesting that some individuals in the United States may be “losing their minds”.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s announcement on Tuesday to impose significant tariff hikes on various Chinese goods, including electric vehicle (EV) batteries, computer chips, and medical products, has escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing, risking a potential standoff as Biden seeks to shore up support from American voters dissatisfied with his economic policies.
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In response, China promptly pledged retaliation, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemning the move as “the most typical form of bullying in the world today”. He emphasized that such actions reveal a lack of self-confidence and orderliness on the part of the United States, rather than demonstrating strength.
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Wang asserted that instead of impeding China’s progress, the U.S. tariff hike would serve as a catalyst for its 1.4 billion citizens to redouble their efforts. He urged the international community to caution the United States against exacerbating global economic tensions during a critical period of recovery.
While Biden acknowledged the likelihood of Chinese retaliation, he downplayed the potential for international conflict stemming from the tariff escalation.
