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People walk past an electronic sign board showing the closing price of the Heng Seng Index in Hong Kong on April 7, 2025. (AFP)

Beijing, April 10 (RHC)-- China has reiterated that it will “fight to the end” against U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war.  Washington’s steep tariffs of 104 percent on Chinese imports came into effect on Wednesday.

In response, Beijing said tariffs on U.S. goods will rise to 84% from 34%, effective April 10.   The government issued a white paper on the U.S.-China commercial ties on Wednesday, saying Beijing “does not deliberately pursue a trade surplus.”

But, it said, if the U.S. “insists on further escalating its economic and trade restrictions, China has the firm will and abundant means to take necessary countermeasures and fight to the end.”

In a separate statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce warned Washington that there “are no winners in a trade war.”  “China does not want one, but the government will never allow the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people to be harmed or taken away.”

It said Trump is using tariffs “as a tool to exert maximum pressure for selfish gains – this is classic unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.”  Beijing also imposed restrictions on 18 U.S. companies, mostly in defense-related industries, adding to the 60 or so American firms punished over Trump’s tariffs.

The Chinese government, however, says the two countries could still resolve their differences “through equal-footed dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation.”  The Trump administration announced a sweeping new tariff policy last week, warning other countries not to retaliate.