Chinese State Media Considers High Tariffs on US Agricultural Products and Poultry Import Restrictions

Response to Additional US Tariff Increases

Chinese state media has revealed a list of 'six countermeasures' in response to the Trump administration's warning of a 50% additional tariff on China, including a significant increase in tariffs on US agricultural products, a halt to livestock imports, and investigations into US companies.

Xinhua News Agency, a Chinese state media outlet, posted on their social network service (SNS) 'New Tanqin' stating, "We have heard some of the latest news regarding specific countermeasures against US tariffs," and "China has prepared at least six pieces of news," on the 8th.

The media reported that they are prioritizing a significant increase in tariffs on US agricultural products such as soybeans and sorghum and considering banning imports of US poultry based on the avian flu outbreak.

Previously, when the Trump administration announced a 34% reciprocal tariff on China on the 2nd, the Chinese government suspended the export qualifications of six US companies related to sorghum and poultry on the 4th, citing quarantine issues, leaving room for expanding this measure.

The media also reported that they are considering investigating the situation where some US companies enjoying huge monopoly profits in China obtain intellectual property rights in China, and reducing or banning US movie imports. It was also added that cooperation with the US on synthetic drug fentanyl, which President Trump used as a pretext for imposing tariffs on China, could be halted.

President Trump stated in a post on Truth Social, a social network service, the previous day that if China does not withdraw the 34% tariff by the 8th, the US will impose an additional 50% tariff on China, which will take effect on the 9th.

He said that if China does not accept his demands, all dialogues requested by China with the US will be canceled, and negotiations will begin with countries other than China that are subject to reciprocal tariffs.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a statement in the name of a spokesperson, warning that "if the US insists on its way, China will definitely confront it to the end," while also urging "to resolve differences appropriately through equal dialogue based on mutual respect with China."

Park Surim, Hankyung.com Reporter paksr365@hankyung.com