The US President, Donald Trump, has started to implement previously announced reforms of economic policies and has imposed tariffs on China, as well as Canada and Mexico. He signed the decision on Saturday, February 1st.
According to the statement made by the Trump administration, tariffs aim to reduce the flow of narcotics and undocumented immigrants in the US. The president himself has published a post on social media, reading that the tariffs were necessary to “protect Americans”.
More specifically, the new regulations include a 25% rise in tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China. Regarding China, the White House statement talks about the dangers of Fentanyl – according to it, Chinese officials could not stop the flow of said drugs to criminal cartels. Additionally, they could not uproot money laundering from transnational criminal organizations.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the government of said country “firmly deplores and opposes this move [made by Donald Trump] and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.” Aside from this, the Ministry highlights that China started to regulate Fentanyl in 2019 and was acting in cooperation with the US to counter the negative effects of the narcotics.
Furthermore, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce also replied to the statement and announced a complaint that it is planning to file with the World Trading Organization (WTO).
As for Canada and Mexico, both countries have decided to impose tariffs on the US themselves as a countermeasure.
