China has sharply rebuked the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, which is set to take effect on Tuesday, but has left the door open for dialogue with the US to prevent a further escalation of trade tensions. Beijing’s response, while firm, has been notably restrained compared to the aggressive stance it took during the earlier phase of the trade war, indicating a shift towards more measured language in recent weeks, as reported by Reuters.

The Chinese government has announced its intention to challenge the tariff at the World Trade Organization (WTO), an action that is largely symbolic, as it mirrors Beijing’s previous response to similar tariffs, such as those imposed by the European Union on Chinese-made electric vehicles. The Chinese Commerce Ministry called Trump’s decision a “serious violation” of international trade rules, urging Washington to engage in open dialogue to resolve the dispute and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Despite these retaliatory moves, Beijing has refrained from the kind of drastic escalation that characterised the earlier phase of the trade war. A statement from China’s Foreign Ministry stressed that there were no winners in a trade war, a sentiment frequently echoed by spokespeople in recent months. Beijing’s more cautious tone contrasts with the sharp confrontations that characterised the first term of President Trump’s presidency.

One of the more contentious aspects of the latest round of tariffs though is Trump’s justification that China needs to address the flow of fentanyl, a potent opioid, into the United States. In response, China’s Foreign Ministry countered, stating that “fentanyl is America’s problem,” highlighting that China had already taken significant steps to curb the production and trafficking of the precursor chemicals needed to manufacture the drug.

Although the trade dispute continues to simmer, China’s measured response suggests a desire to avoid a deeper conflict, focusing instead on dialogue and legal avenues such as the WTO to address its grievances. The outcome of this ongoing tension remains uncertain, but the international community will be closely watching how both sides navigate the dispute in the coming months.