The Blubber

At a press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian addressed a question about the White House's claim that China now faces up to a 245% tariff on exports to the U.S. due to its retaliatory measures. Lin said, “You can ask the U.S. side for the specific tax rate figures.”

Lin reiterated China’s consistent position on the issue, emphasizing that the tariff war was initiated by the United States. He said China had taken necessary countermeasures to protect its legitimate rights and interests, as well as to uphold international fairness and justice—actions he described as “reasonable and lawful.” He noted that there are no winners in tariff and trade wars, adding, “China does not want to fight these wars, but is not afraid of them.”

In response to another question about White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s comment that “the ball is in China’s court” and that “China needs to make a deal with us, we don’t have to make a deal with them”—a statement she said came directly from President Trump—Lin emphasized again that the U.S. started the tariff conflict.

He stressed that China’s response has been in defense of its rights and international norms. “If the U.S. really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation,” Lin said, “it should abandon its approach of applying extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and engage in talks with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and mutual benefit.”