‘We Are Also Ready’: US Fires Back After China’s Response to Trump’s Tariff Threats- wna24

The United States and China exchanged sharp warnings on Wednesday, signaling growing tensions between the two global powers over trade, military strength, and diplomatic relations.

In a strong statement, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized America’s commitment to strengthening its military and maintaining deterrence against potential adversaries.

“Those who long for peace are prepared for war. We are rebuilding our military. We are re-establishing deterrence,” the Defence Secretary said. “We live in a dangerous world. If we want to deter war with the Chinese, or others, we have to be strong. My job, as the Secretary of Defense, is to make sure we’re ready [for war].”

The remarks come in response to a fiery statement from the Chinese embassy in Washington, which warned that Beijing would not back down in the face of U.S. pressure.

Earlier, the Chinese embassy posted a strongly worded message on X (formerly Twitter), pushing back against U.S. policies and rhetoric.

“Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us,” the embassy stated. “Pressuring, coercion or threats are not the right way of dealing with China. Using maximum pressure on China is picking the wrong guy and miscalculating.”

Referring specifically to economic disputes, the embassy added: “If war is what the U.S. wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end.”

The statement also addressed the ongoing fentanyl crisis, a major source of tension between the two nations. The embassy suggested that if Washington truly wanted to resolve the issue, it should engage in “consultations with China by treating each other as equals.”

The exchange of heated statements follows increasing tensions between the U.S. and China on multiple fronts, including trade policies, military maneuvers in the Indo-Pacific, and accusations of economic coercion.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for higher tariffs on Chinese imports and tougher trade policies. The Chinese response suggests that Beijing is bracing for renewed economic confrontations.

Meanwhile, U.S. defense officials have been emphasizing military readiness as tensions grow over Taiwan and other regional security issues. The Pentagon has increased efforts to modernize its forces, expand alliances in the Indo-Pacific, and counter China’s growing military influence.

With both nations signaling a hardened stance, analysts warn that U.S.-China relations could become even more strained in the coming months. Whether these statements will lead to further escalations or diplomatic negotiations remains to be seen.

For now, both sides have made one thing clear: neither is willing to back down.