On Additional Tariffs Imposed by the United States, Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in Egypt Remarks

Ashraf AboArafe

Recently, the US side imposed an additional 10% tariff on imported Chinese products under the pretext of the fentanyl issue and other issues, and announced an additional 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum products imported into the United States. China categorically opposes the protectionist measures taken by the US side, and has taken necessary and targeted countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate interests.

The unilateral announcement by the US of additional tariffs is a serious violation of WTO rules, which will cost US companies and consumers more money, spoil the normal cooperation between countries in the economic and trade fields, and undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains. The US side’s insistence on waging trade and tariff wars against the backdrop of globalization not only undermines the reference and stability of the multilateral trading system, but also contradicts the call of the times for cooperation among all countries to meet global challenges.

Fentanyl is a problem par excellence for the United States. China is one of the countries in the world that has the most stringent anti-drug policies and has implemented them with the utmost seriousness. China has provided support to the United States in dealing with the fentanyl issue out of humanitarian spirit. The US side should view and handle this issue objectively and rationally. Imposing additional tariffs is not a constructive measure, but will affect and harm the future cooperation between the two sides in the field of anti-drug. In 2024, China achieved new economic development and remained an important engine of global economic growth. Facts have proven that the US’s attempts to bully and contain China have failed. In this context, we urge the US side to correct its mistakes, stop politicizing economic and trade issues or using them as a political tool, and instead make joint efforts with China, conduct frank dialogue, and strengthen cooperation with China on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect.