Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

China’s new tariffs on US goods take effect as consumers adapt

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 10 Mar 2025 13:56
4 Min Read

Chinese consumers seem to be unfazed by the tariffs imposed on US goods, affirming quality prioritization over country of production.

Listen
  • x
  • An employee stands on a stepladder as she stocks boxes of mooncakes at a supermarket in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016. (AP)
    An employee stands on a stepladder as she stocks boxes of mooncakes at a supermarket in Beijing, on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. (AP)

China’s latest tariffs on a range of US agricultural products, including fruit, vegetables, meat, and grains, took effect on Monday, but shoppers at a bustling Beijing market appeared largely unfazed by the escalating trade war.

The tariffs—ranging between 10 and 15%—were introduced in response to US President Donald Trump’s decision last week to raise duties on all Chinese imports to 20 percent. Despite concerns about rising prices, vendors at a downtown market said they were not worried about sales.

China has also announced tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against trade restrictions Ottawa imposed in October. The move intensifies tensions in an ongoing trade dispute, largely fueled by US President Donald Trump's tariff policies.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry stated on Saturday that the tariffs, set to take effect on March 20, will mirror Canada's 100% and 25% import duties on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. However, Beijing notably excluded canola—a key Canadian export—possibly signaling openness to future negotiations.

According to analysts, the tariffs serve as both economic retaliation and a strategic warning, particularly as the Trump administration considers easing its own 25% import levies on Canada and Mexico. Washington has warned that relief could be contingent on whether they implement a similar 20% duty Trump has imposed on Chinese imports, using fentanyl-related concerns as an excuse.

'More domestic goods sold'

"If prices go up, folks won't eat imported stuff," said a fruit vendor, surnamed Shi. "There will be more domestic goods sold, and I think this is something folks can accept."

Related News

French farmers plan nationwide protest over trade, food sovereignty

Majority in EU's big five feel bloc 'sold them out' to US: Poll

Shi, who sells a variety of fruit from around the world—including bananas, strawberries, durian, and mangosteen—said that Chinese-grown produce tends to sell better due to its freshness. He added that he might stock fewer US fruits while increasing supplies from countries like Thailand and Malaysia.

He Yulian, a 65-year-old from Shanxi visiting her daughter in Beijing, said the trade war did not concern her. She prioritized quality over the product’s country of origin.

"For regular folks, if we can tell something is imported from the United States, we can try to buy less of it—or not at all," she said.

The new tariffs officially took effect on Monday, though goods that departed before March 10 will be exempt if they reach China by April 12.

While acknowledging that the trade dispute was affecting both sides, Shi said the situation could ultimately strengthen China's domestic market. "The fight would be better for China because domestic goods would become more powerful," he said.

However, he also recognized the immediate financial strain on consumers. "You still need to buy what you need at home," he noted. "Indeed, it's regular people who suffer the most."

Concerns over food safety

Despite the preference for domestic goods, some shoppers still favored imports for specific items. He admitted she trusted imported milk and infant formula over Chinese brands, citing past food safety scandals.

China has faced multiple food safety crises, with one of the most infamous incidents occurring in 2008 when milk contaminated with melamine led to the deaths of six infants and the poisoning of hundreds of thousands of others. Although Beijing has pledged stricter food safety measures, skepticism remains.

"It's not that we're not patriotic," He said. "It's because we have a responsibility to ourselves."

Read more: How China may capitalize on damage made by Trump: The Guardian

  • US tariffs
  • United States
  • Trump's tariffs
  • trade war
  • China
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS