Beijing: The US is exerting 'maximum pressure' and using tariffs as a "weapon," China said Thursday, vowing not to yield to Washington's trade strategies amid worsening relations. Beijing's firm stance was articulated by Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, who assured that China's response 'will continue until the end.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Lin noted that US President Donald Trump's 'reciprocal' tariffs of 125% on Chinese goods are 'against the whole world' and have 'undermined' the multilateral trading system. He criticized the US for using tariffs as a tool of "threat and blackmail," suggesting that such actions are an attempt to coerce the world into making compromises.

Beijing's reaction was in response to Trump's decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, following China's imposition of additional tariffs of 84% on US goods. Trump's comprehensive tariff strategy, impacting both allies and rivals, has unsettled global markets. However, the US president offered a 90-day reprieve to countries that did not retaliate, applying a base 10% tariff instead.

Lin emphasized that "tariff wars and trade wars have no winners," but assured that China is prepared to face them. He declared that China will not allow the legitimate rights and interests of its people to be compromised, nor will it permit the undermining of international economic and trade rules.

In retaliation to Trump's steadfast tariff policy, Beijing has implemented its own measures. The China Film Administration announced a moderate reduction in Hollywood movie imports, opting to introduce more films from other countries to satisfy domestic demand. Additionally, Beijing has issued a travel advisory for Chinese citizens visiting the US and a risk alert for students planning to study at American universities.

Furthermore, China has filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the US for its "unilateral" tariffs, marking another chapter in the escalating trade tensions between the two economic giants.