Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Tuesday described China's countermeasures against the US' additional 10 percent tariff hike on Chinese exports as a "just and necessary" step to safeguard its own interests, urging Washington to abandon its "bullying tactics" and return to the table for good faith dialogue and cooperation.

Lin's remarks came in response to a question at a press briefing regarding a series of countermeasures announced on Tuesday by the State Council's Customs Tariff Commission and China's Ministry of Commerce, after the US government's announcement to further impose additional 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, citing the fentanyl issue as a pretext.

Lin stressed China has repeatedly stated its opposition and China's countermeasures are entirely justified and necessary to protect its own rights and interests.

"The root cause of the fentanyl issue lies within the US itself, and out of humanitarian considerations and goodwill toward the American people, China has taken strong measures to help the US address the fentanyl issue, which is clear for all to see," Lin said. 

He noted that many in the US have expressed gratitude toward China, but instead of acknowledging this, Washington has resorted to smearing China, shifting blame, and exerting pressure through tariff hikes. The US' actions amount to repaying kindness with hostility, which not only fails to solve the US' own domestic problems but also severely undermines dialogue and cooperation between the two sides in addressing drug control.

"I must reiterate that Chinese people cannot be swayed by fallacies, deterred by intimidation, and bullying tactics are not the right way to deal with China. Attempting to exert maximum pressure on China is targeting the wrong opponent and is a misreading of the situation," he stated.

If the US truly wants to resolve the fentanyl issue, it should engage in consultation with China built on the principles of equality, respect, and mutual benefit to address each other's concerns, Lin added.

"If the US has other intentions and is committed to waging a tariff war, trade war, or any other kind of war, China will respond in kind. We urge the US to abandon its bullying tactics and return to the necessary track of dialogue and cooperation at an early date," Lin said.

Global Times