New tariffs introduced by Washington are causing concern in Beijing. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called such actions “bullying.” Even before the official announcement of the tariffs, Beijing warned that it would take countermeasures if this happens. In the past, China has already applied tariffs against American food and agricultural products.
President Biden called the new tariffs a “strategic and targeted” step. They will affect key sectors such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, lithium batteries, solar elements, and medical production. In particular, tariffs on electric vehicles from China will increase from 25 to 100 percent.
Experts and U.S. officials fear that China could circumvent the new tariffs by redirecting goods through third countries such as Mexico and Vietnam. Some believe that without proper measures, Chinese goods will still reach the American market. For example, Mexico has already become the main supplier of goods to the U.S., surpassing China, and there are concerns that it will become a transit point for Chinese production.
Meanwhile, the American Soybean Association of manufacturers is calling for tariffs on Chinese oil, claiming that imported products threaten the demand for domestic ingredients.
