China warns of retaliation if Trump’s tariff threat is carried out

BEIJING, April 14 — China warned on Tuesday that it would take “countermeasures” if US President Donald Trump proceeds with plans to impose new tariffs, following allegations that Beijing is supplying or planning to supply weapons to Iran.

Trump, who is expected to visit Beijing next month for talks with President Xi Jinping, said on Sunday that he would impose a 50 per cent tariff on Chinese goods if such military support to Tehran is confirmed.

His remarks came after CNN reported that US intelligence believes China may soon deliver air defence systems to Iran, while The New York Times cited officials claiming shoulder-fired missiles may have already been sent.

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun dismissed the reports as “completely fabricated”.

“If the US insists on using this as a pretext to impose additional tariffs, China will respond with firm countermeasures,” he said.

China remains a major economic partner of Iran, purchasing much of its oil, though the two nations do not have a formal military alliance. Analysts generally view their relationship as largely transactional.

Beijing also maintains strong ties with Gulf countries and has criticised Iran’s attacks on them during the conflict. — AFP