China sharply criticized the United States on Monday, April 7, 2025, accusing it of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying through escalating tariffs. Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian warned that prioritizing “America First” disrupts global supply chains and hampers economic recovery, as Beijing urged U.S. firms like Tesla to take “concrete actions” to mitigate the trade conflict.

The rebuke follows President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, imposing a 34% duty on Chinese goods last week, atop earlier 10% tariffs from February and March—moves Trump linked to China’s alleged role in the fentanyl crisis. China swiftly retaliated with a matching 34% tariff on U.S. goods, effective April 10, alongside bans on sorghum, poultry, and bonemeal imports from select American firms, tighter rare earth export controls, and a World Trade Organization lawsuit.

Despite plunging markets—Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 13.5% and Shanghai’s Composite 7.3%—China projected resilience. The People’s Daily asserted, “The sky won’t fall,” emphasizing Beijing’s arsenal of countermeasures. “We know what we’re doing,” it declared, brushing off U.S. pressure. Lin reinforced this, stating, “Threats won’t sway China; we’ll protect our rights.”

Over the weekend, Vice Minister of Commerce Ling Ji met with representatives from 20 U.S. companies, including Tesla and GE Healthcare, pressing them to address the tariff “root” in the U.S. and collaborate on stabilizing global trade. Ling reassured them of China’s openness to foreign investment amid the chaos. No word emerged on a potential Xi Jinping-Trump meeting, with Lin deferring such queries. As markets reel—evidenced by Friday’s Wall Street rout and Monday’s global sell-off—China’s defiance signals a deepening trade war with no quick end in sight.