China Stands Firm Amid Tariff Hike, Urges US To Engage Diplomatically: 'Threats, Blackmail Not Right Way'

China stated on Thursday that while it does not seek confrontation, it will not back down under pressure, following US President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 125 per cent.

"China's position is clear and consistent," said He Yongqian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. "If the US is willing to talk, our door remains open - but any dialogue must be founded on mutual respect and equality."

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

She emphasised that "pressure, threats and blackmail are not appropriate ways to engage with China".

Reaffirming that there are no true victors in a trade war, she warned that if the United States "insists on its own path, China will see it through to the end".

Trump's move represented the most severe escalation yet in the trade standoff between the world's two largest economies. While the US President announced a 90-day suspension of heightened tariffs for most countries on Wednesday, China was notably excluded - with Trump accusing Beijing of "escalation".

That "escalation" referred to China's decision to raise tariffs on American products to 84 per cent, up from the previously declared 34 per cent. While stopping short of describing the exchange as a trade war, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the measures a negotiating tactic designed to rein in China.

"It's about bad actors," Bessent said, adding that China was "the biggest contributor to America's trade woes."

Trump claimed the increased levies were in response to "the lack of respect China has shown towards global markets", denying that he had backtracked on tariff policy.

"I gave a 90-day break to countries that didn't retaliate, because I said to them, 'If you hit back, we'll double the tariffs' - and that's exactly what I've done with China," he said.

China has pledged to resist the measures "to the end" and has so far matched every tariff hike from Washington with its own countermeasures.

Beijing also announced it had filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the Trump administration of using "bullying" tactics.

In addition to the heated exchanges, China has reportedly been in discreet talks with other nations in an attempt to form a coalition to pressure Washington to change course, although progress has been limited.

China confirmed it had engaged in discussions with the EU and Malaysia on strengthening trade ties amid the tensions, while Australia revealed it had turned down a proposal from Beijing - despite China being its largest trading partner - to cooperate in opposing the tariffs.