China has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring itself “ready for war” as tensions between the two superpowers escalate. With a significant boost in defense spending and new tariffs on American imports, Beijing has made it clear that it is prepared to retaliate against Washington’s latest economic measures.  

 

In a direct response to Donald Trump, China’s representatives in the US warned, “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.” This statement comes after the White House imposed 20 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, citing Beijing’s failure to curb the flow of fentanyl into the US.  

 

China has responded by increasing its defense budget by 7.2 percent, matching last year’s rise and bringing total military expenditure to approximately 1.78 trillion yuan (£190 billion). Additionally, Beijing has announced counter-tariffs of 10 to 15 percent on specific US imports, effective from March 10.  

 

In an aggressive message shared by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy in the US, officials warned Washington that “intimidation does not scare us.” They also criticized Mr. Trump for linking the tariffs to the fentanyl crisis, accusing him of using the issue as political leverage.  

 

The announcement coincided with China’s annual “Two Sessions” meetings, where its top legislature outlined plans for military expansion. Premier Li Qiang reinforced Beijing’s commitment to President Xi Jinping’s objective of modernizing the Chinese military by 2027. “We will step up military training and combat readiness so as to firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests,” Li declared.  

 

China’s increasing military assertiveness has raised concerns across the Asia-Pacific region. Recent live-fire drills near Australia, military exercises close to Taiwan and Vietnam, and confrontations with the Philippine coast guard in the South China Sea have drawn criticism from neighboring countries, including Japan, South Korea, and India.  

 

Meanwhile, China has revealed plans to develop a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, aiming to rival the US Navy’s dominance. While China boasts the world’s second-largest military budget, it is still significantly smaller than the US defense budget, which stands at approximately $850 billion (£662 billion) for 2025. The Pentagon estimates that China’s actual defense spending, when including undisclosed expenditures, could be closer to $450 billion, though it remains less than two percent of the country’s GDP.  

 

The tensions were exacerbated by the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs, which also targeted Mexico and Canada. With both nations locked in an escalating trade conflict and military posturing on the rise, the rivalry between the US and China appears to be entering a new and potentially dangerous phase.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-07

 

 

"They also criticized Mr. Trump for linking the tariffs to the fentanyl crisis, accusing him of using the issue as political leverage".  

 

Much as I dislike Trump, I agree with that move. Fentanyl and meth are real scourges.

 

Possibly the only move of his I agree with.

well now is their chance to take Taiwan trump certainly won’t come to the rescue sorry Taiwan but that’s who we are stuck with.

2 minutes ago, Tug said:

well now is their chance to take Taiwan trump certainly won’t come to the rescue sorry Taiwan but that’s who we are stuck with.

 

It's not Trump's job to sacrifice American lives defending foreign nations.

 

He is the President of the US, not Taiwan. The US are not the world's policemen.

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

The US are not the world's policemen.

 

Though they often act as if they are...when it suits them.

3 minutes ago, johng said:

 

Though they often act as if they are...when it suits them.

 

Yes, typically when Democrats are in power. 

Ohh and the only thing the US cares about Taiwan is the chip manufacturing plants...there was even talk of bombing them if China "invades"  so  as not to let them fall into "ememy" hands !

Oddly enough the largest plant TSMC has recently announced a 100 billion dollar investment to build a chip plant in the US.

 

https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/3210

Let's just get it over with already. Cull 80 percent of the population and get onto the new world.

 

This old world is decaying and dying fast.

12 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

It's not Trump's job to sacrifice American lives defending foreign nations.

 

He is the President of the US, not Taiwan. The US are not the world's policemen.

Not about physical troops but the mutual security agreement to support Taiwan to defend themselves. Also arms sales that Biden approved during his term. Trump is not trustworthy to honor any agreements between US and Taiwan. He will abandon Taiwan like he did with Ukraine. 

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

China has issued a stark warning to the United States, declaring itself “ready for war” as tensions between the two superpowers escalate. With a significant boost in defense spending and new tariffs on American imports, Beijing has made it clear that it is prepared to retaliate against Washington’s latest economic measures.  

 

In a direct response to Donald Trump, China’s representatives in the US warned, “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.” This statement comes after the White House imposed 20 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, citing Beijing’s failure to curb the flow of fentanyl into the US.  

 

 

China has responded by increasing its defense budget by 7.2 percent, matching last year’s rise and bringing total military expenditure to approximately 1.78 trillion yuan (£190 billion). Additionally, Beijing has announced counter-tariffs of 10 to 15 percent on specific US imports, effective from March 10.  

 

In an aggressive message shared by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy in the US, officials warned Washington that “intimidation does not scare us.” They also criticized Mr. Trump for linking the tariffs to the fentanyl crisis, accusing him of using the issue as political leverage.  

 

The announcement coincided with China’s annual “Two Sessions” meetings, where its top legislature outlined plans for military expansion. Premier Li Qiang reinforced Beijing’s commitment to President Xi Jinping’s objective of modernizing the Chinese military by 2027. “We will step up military training and combat readiness so as to firmly safeguard China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests,” Li declared.  

 

China’s increasing military assertiveness has raised concerns across the Asia-Pacific region. Recent live-fire drills near Australia, military exercises close to Taiwan and Vietnam, and confrontations with the Philippine coast guard in the South China Sea have drawn criticism from neighboring countries, including Japan, South Korea, and India.  

 

Meanwhile, China has revealed plans to develop a new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, aiming to rival the US Navy’s dominance. While China boasts the world’s second-largest military budget, it is still significantly smaller than the US defense budget, which stands at approximately $850 billion (£662 billion) for 2025. The Pentagon estimates that China’s actual defense spending, when including undisclosed expenditures, could be closer to $450 billion, though it remains less than two percent of the country’s GDP.  

 

The tensions were exacerbated by the Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs, which also targeted Mexico and Canada. With both nations locked in an escalating trade conflict and military posturing on the rise, the rivalry between the US and China appears to be entering a new and potentially dangerous phase.

 

Based on a report by The Telegraph  2025-03-07

 

 

A 3rd world war we can expect if nobody stops this erratic imperator in America (Donald Trump).

China 

50 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

It's not Trump's job to sacrifice American lives defending foreign nations.

 

He is the President of the US, not Taiwan. The US are not the world's policemen.

After Trump helps Putin isolate & absorb the Ukraine & then destroys NATO. European nations will have to defend their own, and/or make accommodations with the powers that be. This will affect trade. You trade with friends, allies first & those you have to kowtow too.  In the same way Taiwan given to China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Indonesia etc., will all have to make accommodations with the new power & trade relations restructured. "Free trade" is a concept, less a reality, always has been. As Russia produces frick all, exports oil & rocks. The real winner is China and Celestial leader Xi. 

Trump with six bankruptcies & a functional 7thgrade education has no clue & never will. All this US neo isolation right wing bombast, will not benefit the US economically, it will be the opposite. 

NOTE - Pick up that Costco 44 count box next trip back. This excrement show is going to be epic. 

37 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

It's not Trump's job to sacrifice American lives defending foreign nations.

 

He is the President of the US, not Taiwan. The US are not the world's policemen.

Says the man who regularly suggests that he should get involved in the UK...

22 minutes ago, Dcheech said:

After Trump helps Putin isolate & absorb the Ukraine & then destroys NATO. European nations will have to defend their own, and/or make accommodations with the powers that be.

 

Quite the imagination. 😄

This fentanyl issue raised by the US is a smoke screen. The previous trade pacts were negotiated by Trump with both Mexico and Canada. At the time Trump bragged how wonderful these trade pacts were obviously negotiated by a masterful tactician like himself.

 

The only way for these trade pacts can be altered is by declaring a state of emergency and hence the master negotiater Mr Trump did this by accusing both Mexico and Canada of these being so evil as to create criminal activity in the USA.

 

Thank goodness for such a wonderful saviour.

19 minutes ago, JAG said:

Says the man who regularly suggests that he should get involved in the UK...

 

😄😄😄.

 

I have never suggested Trump should involve the US military in UK affairs.  

 

But you already knew that...

58 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

It's not Trump's job to sacrifice American lives defending foreign nations.

 

He is the President of the US, not Taiwan. The US are not the world's policemen.

Except the protection of allies, particularly one that produces so much of the technology hardware the U.S. relies on, is definitely in the interests of the U.S.

 

Trump has sent a message that he is unwilling to defend America’s allies, the Chinese and others have heard that message.

4 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Quite the imagination. 😄

Except it’s happening in real time.

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Except it’s happening in real time.

 

No it isn't.

 

Considering leaving NATO and destroying NATO are 2 different things.

 

Trying to negotiate a peace deal and "helping Putin" are 2 different things. 

 

Unless you are a rampant Trump hater that is.  

2 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

No it isn't.

 

Considering leaving NATO and destroying NATO are 2 different things.

 

Trying to negotiate a peace deal and "helping Putin" are 2 different things. 

 

Unless you are a rampant Trump hater that is.  

What peace deal has Trump tried to negotiate?

 

Please provide actual evidence.

 

 

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Except the protection of allies, particularly one that produces so much of the technology hardware the U.S. relies on, is definitely in the interests of the U.S.

 

Seems to be working out OK.

 

https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/3210

 

 

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Trump has sent a message that he is unwilling to defend America’s allies, the Chinese and others have heard that message.

 

Would you prefer he goes to war with China over Taiwan?

 

And Russia over Ukraine?

 

Any other wars you fancy? India maybe? The more the merrier, right?

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Seems to be working out OK.

 

https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/3210

 

 

 

Would you prefer he goes to war with China over Taiwan?

 

And Russia over Ukraine?

 

Any other wars you fancy? India maybe? The more the merrier, right?

I would prefer Trump had not sent a clear signal that he will not back allies under attack from tyrants like Putin.

 

He has made wars more likely by signaling his weakness.

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I would prefer Trump had not sent a clear signal that he will not back allies under attack from tyrants like Putin.

 

 

So you would prefer to continue to see women and children and soldiers dying in Ukraine?

 

Why is that? You love death?

Sabre rattling nonsense from a dictator. Xi always acts like a petulant little child.

Trumps family and half of his cabinet should stop funding the drug manufactures and importers. The cartels run on money.Don JR and a number of Trumps cabinet either need a good ENT Doctor or should give up using and BUYING drugs which intern funds the criminals behind the drug industry.So if trump  is serious on drug control he needs to enforce the law and lock up the users starting with his own family.

11 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Seems to be working out OK.

 

https://pr.tsmc.com/english/news/3210

 

 

 

Would you prefer he goes to war with China over Taiwan?

 

And Russia over Ukraine?

 

Any other wars you fancy? India maybe? The more the merrier, right?

The investments will not include the high tech chips like the 2mn and 1.6 nm which will stay in Taiwan. Trump didn’t get that win. Just the regular chips which are in demand will be manufactured in US as part of TSMC expansion since the Biden era thanks to his Chips Act.
 

Trump will not even honor military aids, why even bother to talk about going to wars. Whole lot of rubbish you spewed 

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

What peace deal has Trump tried to negotiate?

 

The one between Ukraine and Russia.

 

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Please provide actual evidence.

 

 

 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/5/what-is-ukraines-new-peace-plan-that-zelenskyy-presented-to-trump

 

It's ongoing. All parties have acknowledged talks. Unfortunately for you, peace deals don't tend to be streamed live on The Guardian's YouTube channel. 

 

18 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I would prefer Trump had not sent a clear signal that he will not back allies under attack from tyrants like Putin.

 

I doubt Trump really cares what you prefer.

 

I doubt anyone really cares about your perception of signals you imagine he has or has not made. 

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

Not about physical troops but the mutual security agreement to support Taiwan to defend themselves. Also arms sales that Biden approved during his term. Trump is not trustworthy to honor any agreements between US and Taiwan. He will abandon Taiwan like he did with Ukraine. 

You dont know that and are presumptuous to say the least. The Us has vested interests in Taiwan. So it seems more feasible that the US would protect its assets there.

Red v Orange' with until very recently hoping for a swift Pooh' total victory go Xi' go🤔

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

It's not Trump's job to sacrifice American lives defending foreign nations.

 

He is the President of the US, not Taiwan. The US are not the world's policemen.

Almost hit the "laugh" meme but ... that would not be totally honest. While I have room to agree, in part, I also believe there are causes I would support. "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."