China's government declared on Tuesday that it would "resolutely take countermeasures" if Trump follows through on his threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods. 

The Chinese Commerce Ministry warned that the trade conflict with Beijing would persist, stating, "China will fight until the end if the US side is bent on going down the wrong path." 

Stock markets have been volatile this week due to Trump's tariff announcement, with Axios' Nathan Bomey observing that investors are urging the administration to seek an "off-ramp" to avoid a recession. 

A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson accused the US of "blackmail" after Trump posted on Truth Social that he'd impose the extra tariffs unless Beijing removed its 34% tariffs on American goods by Tuesday. 

"The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake," the spokesperson said. "China will never accept this." 

On Monday, Trump escalated tensions by threatening to impose additional tariffs on Chinese goods, intensifying the global trade war that's triggering a massive selloff in global markets.

China announced a set of retaliatory measures in response to Trump's reciprocal tariffs announcement on Wednesday, including a 34% tariff on all US imports effective April 10, in addition to export controls on seven rare earth minerals and adding 11 companies to its unreliable companies list.

Trump made a threat, warning that "if China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trade abuses by tomorrow, April 8th 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th."

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump announced that any meetings with China to negotiate a trade agreement were "terminated", while noting that negotiations with other countries will "begin taking place immediately!"

Beijing was quick to respond, with its foreign affairs spokesperson, Lin Jian, criticizing the United States, stating that its policies represent “unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying with tariffs.” Jian warned that such actions could severely damage global economic recovery.