China Warns U.S.: Ready for Any Type of War

China has issued a warning to the United States, asserting its preparedness to engage in “any type” of war as tensions escalate over President Donald Trump’s increasing trade tariffs. The escalating conflict between the world’s two largest economies has brought them closer to a potential trade war, with Trump recently imposing additional tariffs on all Chinese imports. In retaliation, China has implemented tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on U.S. agricultural products.

“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,” stated the Chinese embassy on X, referencing a government statement released on Tuesday. This marks one of the most forceful responses from China since Trump assumed the presidency, coinciding with the annual National People’s Congress in Beijing.

During the congress, Li Qiang announced a 7.2% increase in China’s defense spending for the year. He remarked that “changes unseen in a century were unfolding across the world at a faster pace,” reflecting China’s intent to bolster its military capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions. This increase in defense spending aligns with last year’s figures, signaling China’s commitment to maintaining a strong military posture.

The Chinese leadership aims to project confidence in the country’s economic stability despite the looming threat of a trade war. Beijing has been keen to contrast its image as a stable and peaceful nation against the backdrop of U.S. military engagements in the Middle East and Ukraine. Furthermore, China hopes to leverage the fallout from U.S. tariffs that have also affected allies such as Canada and Mexico, while being cautious not to escalate rhetoric that could deter potential global partnerships.

In his speech, Li emphasized China’s commitment to economic openness and its desire to attract foreign investment, countering the narrative of an impending economic downturn. Notably, the Chinese embassy in Washington referenced a foreign ministry statement that criticized the U.S. for attributing the influx of fentanyl to China, describing it as a “flimsy excuse” to justify tariff increases.

“The fentanyl issue is a flimsy excuse to raise U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports,” the statement read. “Intimidation does not scare us. Bullying does not work on us. Pressuring, coercion, or threats are not the right way of dealing with China,” it added.

The U.S.-China relationship remains one of the most contentious globally, and the recent statements from Beijing may serve to embolden hardline views within Trump’s cabinet, framing China as a significant foreign policy and economic challenge. Initially, there were hopes that relations between the two countries could improve under Trump, particularly following his invitation to President Xi Jinping during his inauguration. However, a planned phone call between the two leaders last month did not materialize.

As Xi grapples with economic challenges, including weak consumer demand, a real estate crisis, and rising unemployment, China has committed to injecting billions into its struggling economy. This financial strategy was unveiled as thousands of delegates convened at the National People’s Congress, which is typically a forum for ratifying decisions already made behind closed doors.

China’s military budget, reported at $245 billion, is the second-largest in the world; however, it remains significantly smaller than that of the U.S. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China’s military expenditure accounts for 1.6% of its GDP, which is notably lower than the military spending of the U.S. or Russia.