China Declares It’s ‘Ready for War’ as Tensions With U.S. Escalate
China has issued a direct warning to the United States, declaring it is “ready for war” in response to escalating trade and military tensions. The statement follows new U.S. tariffs and Beijing’s decision to increase defense spending.
In a blunt message aimed at President Donald Trump, Chinese officials in Washington said:
“If war is what the U.S. wants—be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war—we’re ready to fight until the end.”
Tariff Retaliation and Military Buildup
The U.S. has imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese imports, citing Beijing’s failure to curb the flow of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, into America.
China retaliated swiftly, announcing:
- A 7.2% increase in defense spending, taking its official military budget to 1.78 trillion yuan ($250 billion).
- New tariffs of 10-15% on U.S. goods, effective March 10.
In sharp rebukes, China’s Foreign Ministry and its U.S. embassy accused Washington of using “intimidation tactics” and blamed Trump for linking the fentanyl crisis to tariffs.
Beijing’s Military Expansion
The warnings come as China’s top legislature convenes its annual “Two Sessions” meetings, where Premier Li Qiang pledged “all-out efforts” to advance President Xi Jinping’s goal of building a modern military by 2027.
China’s growing military ambitions include:
- Live-fire drills off the Australian coast.
- Military exercises near Taiwan, Vietnam, and the South China Sea.
- Aggressive encounters with the Philippine coast guard.
- A new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, designed to rival the U.S. Navy.
Japan, South Korea, and India have all raised concerns about China’s expanding military footprint.
U.S. Military Spending Still Dominates
Despite Trump’s planned 8% defense budget cuts, the U.S. military budget remains dominant, standing at approximately $850 billion for 2025—more than triple China’s declared spending.
However, Pentagon analysts estimate that China’s actual military expenditures—including off-budget allocations—may exceed $450 billion, still less than 2% of its GDP.
As tensions mount, China and the U.S. appear locked in a deepening geopolitical standoff—one that now extends across trade, security, and military competition.
