China Dismisses Trump's Tariff Threats as ‘Numbers Game’

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that it will pay no attention to U.S. President Donald Trump’s “tariff numbers game,” responding to the White House’s disclosure of potential tariffs on Chinese exports as high as 245 percent.

This escalation in the U.S.-China trade war, marked by retaliatory measures and defiant rhetoric, threatens to disrupt global trade and economic growth, with far-reaching consequences for both developed and developing nations.

U.S. Tariff Strategy Intensifies

The White House released a fact sheet on Tuesday outlining its latest tariff measures, including a 125 percent reciprocal tariff, a 20 percent tariff to address China’s alleged failure to curb fentanyl exports, and additional duties ranging from 7.5 percent to 100 percent tied to national security reviews under the Trade Act of 1974.

These follow Trump’s broader tariff announcements two weeks ago, which imposed higher duties on multiple countries but were later rolled back for most, leaving China as the primary target of punitive rates.

Beijing has countered with its own 125 percent tariffs on U.S. goods and non-tariff measures, such as limiting Hollywood film releases.

Last week, China’s Ministry of Finance dismissed Trump’s tariffs as a “joke” with “no economic significance,” reflecting Beijing’s resolve to withstand U.S. pressure.

Economists warn that sustained tariffs could halt most U.S.-China trade due to prohibitively high costs, further straining bilateral relations.

Global Trade and Economic Fallout

The escalating trade conflict is reverberating globally.

On Wednesday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) projected a 0.2 percent decline in global trade volume for 2025, “nearly three percentage points lower” than a low-tariff baseline.

The WTO noted that Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs,” paused until July, could lead to a steeper 1.5 percent drop in global goods trade, disproportionately affecting export-dependent least-developed countries.

The United Nations’ Trade and Development (UNCTAD) office also revised its 2025 global growth forecast downward from 2.5 percent to 2.3 percent, warning that growth below 2.5 percent often signals a global recession.

These projections highlight the broader risks of the U.S.-China tariff war to global economic stability.

China’s Strategic Response

Beijing has signaled no immediate interest in negotiations, insisting that talks must occur on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

In a significant move, China replaced its trade negotiator Wang Shouwen with Li Chenggang, its WTO envoy, suggesting a potential shift toward a more assertive trade strategy.

Additionally, China filed a complaint with the WTO last week, accusing the U.S. of violating global trade rules.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has expressed openness to a trade deal but insists that China must make the first move. The White House fact sheet emphasized that China “needed our money,” a statement Beijing has not directly addressed but appears to dismiss through its actions.

Trade War’s Global Impact Loom

The U.S.-China trade war, fueled by Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and China’s unyielding retaliation, shows no signs of abating.

As both nations prioritize economic brinkmanship over dialogue, the global economy faces mounting risks, from declining trade volumes to potential recessionary pressures.

With China’s new trade negotiator and WTO complaints signaling a hardening stance, the path to resolution remains uncertain, leaving international markets bracing for a turbulent 2025.