Chinese officials have denounced President Trump's decision to add 10% tariffs on China's allegedly suspected imports in the international smuggling of the deadly synthetic drug fentanyl.
“The fentanyl issue is an excuse that the US uses to impose tariffs, pressure and threats China, and they punish us for helping them. This will not resolve their concerns. It will be counterproductive and will hit a major blow to our dialogue and cooperation with China on counteralcotics,” a Commerce Department spokesperson said. Friday's Statementdeclaring tariffs is in violation of the rules of the World Trade Organization.
He confirmed that China will push back its profits with measures “necessary to protect its solid state.”
“Pressure, coercion and threat are not the right way to deal with China. Instead, mutual respect is a fundamental prerequisite,” the spokesman said he would condemn Trump's negotiation tactics.
The president said Thursday that tariffs in Canada and Mexico will come into effect next week along with a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, citing the influx of drugs from all three countries.
“At a very high level and unacceptable level, drugs are poured into our country from Mexico and Canada. Most of these drugs are made and supplied in China, with many drugs made and delivered in the form of fentanyl,” Trump posted to The Truth Society.
“We cannot allow this tragedy to harm the United States. Therefore, the proposed tariffs scheduled to come into effect on March 4th cannot be allowed until they are suspended or seriously limited, once they are in effect as planned. Similarly, China will charge an additional 10% tariff on that day,” Trump added.
Despite the president's claims, the Chinese Commerce Minister praised the country as one of the “national nations of the world's strictest nations.”
