The US is prepared to go to war with China, Donald Trump’s defence secretary said last night, amid a bitter spat between the countries over trade tariffs, writes Natasha Anderson.
Pete Hegseth came out swinging after China’s US embassy posted on X: “If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”
Mr Trump aims to expand tariffs after a 25% tax on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect on Tuesday, along with fresh duties on Chinese goods.
The embassy’s post was in response to the president revealing on Tuesday night the added tariffs would follow on April 2, including “reciprocal tariffs” and non-tariff actions aimed at balancing out years of trade imbalances.
On Wednesday morning, Mr Hegseth, 44, fired back at the Chinese diplomats, saying on Fox & Friends: “We’re prepared. Those who long for peace must prepare for war.
“That’s why we’re rebuilding our military. If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong, and the president understands peace comes through strength.”
The tariffs, which could upend nearly $2.2trillion in annual trade, came after Trump declared America’s top three trading partners had failed to stem the flow of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the US.
Beijing in its scathing response branded the fentanyl crisis a “flimsy excuse” to increase tariffs on Chinese products.
The Chinese foreign affairs ministry accused the Trump administration of “blackmail”, warning: “Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressuring, coercion or threats are not the right way of dealing with China.”
The warning comes amid fears of trade wars that could slam the brakes on economic growth and raise prices for Americans still reeling from years of high inflation.
Trump claimed on Tuesday night that “other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn”, citing high duties imposed on US goods by India, South Korea, the EU and China.
A Beijing spokesperson warned against the proposal on X: “Anyone using maximum pressure on China is picking the wrong guy and miscalculating.
“If the US truly wants to solve the fentanyl issue, then the right thing to do is to consult with China by treating each other as equals.”
They also denounced China’s alleged involvement in the fentanyl crisis, saying: “The US not anyone else, is responsible for the fentanyl crisis inside the US.”
They continued: “In the spirit of humanity and goodwill towards the American people, we have taken robust steps to assist the US in dealing with the issue.
“Instead of recognising our efforts, the US has sought to smear and shift blame to China.”
