The escalating trade conflict initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump against Canada, Mexico, and China is intensifying amid disputes over the manufacture and import of the opiate fentanyl, trade imbalances, and the surge of illegal border crossings by migrants from around the world, reports AP.
China has reaffirmed its threat to implement “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests” in response to Trump’s imposition of a 10% tariff on China. The tariff was justified on the grounds that China had not sufficiently curtailed the production of chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl.
Although the Foreign Ministry’s statement issued on Sunday did not specify any exact retaliatory actions, it urged, “China calls on the United States to correct its wrongdoings, maintain the hard-won positive dynamics in counternarcotics cooperation, and foster a steady, sound, and sustainable development of the China-U.S. relationship.”
China also argues that the U.S. measures breach World Trade Organization regulations, and it has pledged to bring the matter before the global commerce authority.
In a similar tone, the Ministry of Public Security released an almost identical statement on Sunday, and the Commerce Ministry followed with a comparably worded announcement.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
