According to an unidentified Commerce Ministry spokeswoman, China’s stance on tariff and trade conflicts is unchanged.
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would put an extra 100% tax on the second-largest economy in the world, China said on Tuesday, October 13, 2025, that it was prepared to “fight to the finish” in a trade war with the United States.
A spokeswoman for the Commerce Ministry who wished to remain anonymous said, “China’s attitude remains constant on the topic of tariff wars and trade conflicts.” Threatening more unrest at sea, the U.S. and China will implement tit-for-tat port tolls. “Our door is still open if you want to talk; if you want to fight, we will fight until the end.”
Over the weekend, Mr. Trump’s announcement of further 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports heightened fears that the trade war between the two largest economies in the world would intensify. He said that the action was a reaction to Beijing’s declaration last week of extensive new export restrictions in the strategically important rare earths market, which is now controlled by China.
His statement on Friday, October 10, shook markets and raised doubts about a possible future summit in South Korea with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The United States will implement export restrictions “on any and all vital software” starting on November 1, according to Trump’s announcement.
China wishes to “reiterate that export control measures involving rare earths and related products represent legitimate efforts by the Chinese government to enhance its export control system in compliance with laws and regulations,” according to a spokesman for the country’s commerce ministry in Beijing.
“China has continuously and firmly protected its own national security and international collective security as a responsible big power,” the official said.