Ankara: Denouncing the use of tariffs as a "weapon" to "coerce and bully others," Beijing on Thursday criticized the latest 245% levies on Chinese imports by the US as a "numbers game." "You should probably ask the US side as to how they arrived at that figure," the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated in response to the White House's recent tariff hike on Chinese imports.

According to Anadolu Agency, the White House released a fact sheet on Tuesday indicating that Chinese imports are now subject to a maximum tariff of 245%, significantly higher than the previously reported 145% upper threshold. This figure includes a 125% reciprocal tariff imposed by President Donald Trump this month, along with an additional 20% fentanyl-related tariff.

Beijing responded by increasing its tariffs on all US imports to 125%, asserting that it would not impose further hikes as tariffs have complicated business relations between the world's two largest economies. "Tariff and trade wars have no winners. China does not want to fight those wars but neither are we afraid of them," the ministry remarked.

The Chinese government warned that if the US continues its "numbers game" with tariffs, it will simply be ignored. However, it also emphasized that any real harm to China's rights and interests would be met with "resolute countermeasures," and that China is prepared to "stand our ground to the end."

On Wednesday, China urged the US to cease its "maximum pressure" tactics and "blackmail" in trade negotiations, countering US President Donald Trump's recent assertion that "the ball is in China's court."