BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- While China and the United States just restarted trade talks and intensified communication for the next round of consultations, the U.S. side threatened new tariffs on Chinese imports on Thursday, revealing once again its flip-flopping.
The U.S. side said it will slap 10 percent tariffs as of Sept. 1 on 300 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese exports to the United States. This means nearly all the Chinese exports to the United States will be subject to additional tariffs.
The U.S. move will further undermine its reputation and hit American consumers.
China is not surprised about U.S. flip-flopping and maximum pressure after more than a year of tussling with the United States. But facts have proved that such a tactic is futile. It is detrimental to the settlement of problems and disputes.
China has always kept its word and implemented the consensus reached at the Osaka meeting between the two heads of state.
Since July 19, Chinese companies have made inquiries with U.S. suppliers about purchasing soybeans, cotton, pork and other agricultural products. A number of purchases have been made, including 130,000 tonnes of soybeans and 40,000 tonnes of pork and pork products.
Currently, some Chinese enterprises have applied to relevant departments to exclude the imposition of tariffs on this part of agricultural products imported from the United States, and appraisal work is being conducted in accordance with the procedures. The U.S. side should give full consideration to the fact that it will take time to implement the relevant procedures.
As for the control of fentanyl, global cooperation, time and perseverance are required.
Chinese law enforcement agencies have cracked a few cases of illegal processing and trafficking of fentanyl-type substances to the United States. They found that perpetrators at home and abroad colluded in these cases and the amount of the substances involved was limited. They were unlikely the main source of the proliferation of fentanyl-type substances in the United States.
As a responsible country, China has taken a new step toward global cooperation in drug control by imposing controls on the entire class of fentanyl substances as of May 1.
The abuse of fentanyl-type substances in the United States is the result of a combination of factors and cannot be blindly extrapolated.
Despite the escalation of trade frictions, China's economy has maintained a steady upward momentum, showing strong resilience to counter external challenges.
In the first half of this year, China's exports to the United States fell by 2.6 percent year on year, and imports from the United States decreased by 25.7 percent, indicating that U.S. exports to China are more substitutable and that China can offset the impact of the tariff increase by diversifying its trading partners.
Since May this year, a raft of resolute responses have been made clear: China is unwilling to fight a trade war, but it is not afraid to fight it and has to fight it if necessary.
The Chinese side will adhere to the bottom line of principle and will never make undue concessions.
If the U.S. side raises tariffs, China will have to take necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
