China Condemns New U.S. Tariffs, Warns of Escalating Trade War Risk

 

China and U. S Presidents

 Beijing has condemned a fresh round of U.S. tariffs targeting China and 59 other countries over alleged forced labour, warning that escalating trade restrictions will hurt all sides.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Friday that China opposes all unilateral tariff measures. He added that trade wars serve no country's interest and urged Washington to avoid further escalation.

Washington Links Levies to Forced Labour Ban

The U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, said the new duties are part of enforcement of a U.S. ban on imports linked to forced labour. He called on other nations to adopt similar restrictions.

Under the new structure, tariffs range from 10 percent to 12.5 percent. China faces the highest rate at 12.5 percent. 

Countries that already have forced labour import restrictions, including Canada, the European Union and the United Kingdom, were placed on the lower 10 percent rate. Major trading partners such as India and Japan received higher rates.

Global Trade Tensions Set to Renew

The measures replace a broader global tariff introduced earlier this year by President Donald Trump. That tariff was scaled back after a legal challenge limited the administration's authority to impose sweeping duties.

The latest move risks reigniting trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. The U.S. and China had reached a temporary truce following talks between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, but the new levies put that pause under pressure.

For global businesses, the shift signals renewed supply chain risk and compliance scrutiny around forced labour enforcement in U.S. trade policy.

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