A drone photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows cargo ships at a container terminal of Tianjin Port in North China's Tianjin. [Photo/Xinhua]

　　China has vowed to take firm and necessary countermeasures in response to the United States' escalating tariff threats, reaffirming its commitment to defending national interests while upholding the stability of the global trade system.

　　Analysts said that China's move sent a strong signal to the international community of rejecting unilateralism and joining efforts to safeguard multilateral trade rules.

　　They noted that Beijing retains ample policy tools to respond, including raising tariffs on US energy and agricultural imports, as well as further expanding export controls on critical minerals such as rare earth elements. These targeted actions are expected to increase pressure on Washington and could pave the way for a return to rational negotiations, they added.

　　“China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests, should the United States escalate its tariff measures,“ the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Tuesday, hours after the US threatened to impose a further 50 percent tariff on China if Beijing does not withdraw its 34 percent counter-tariff.

　　US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on April 2 regarding the so-called “reciprocal tariffs“, imposing a 10 percent “baseline tariff“ and higher rates on certain trading partners. Last week, Beijing adopted an array of countermeasures, including an additional 34 percent tariff on US imports, following decision by the US to impose an additional 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports.