US and China Engage in Trade War Escalation as Tariffs Take Effect

The Biden administration has announced plans to raise tariffs on Chinese goods worth $18 billion, with lithium-ion batteries making up $13 billion of the total imports. The move has been met with strong condemnation from China's foreign minister Wang Yi, who characterized it as a sign of weakness rather than strength. Wang Yi accused the US of "suppression" and "bullying", stating that some people in the US have lost their sanity in order to safeguard their unilateral hegemony. He also vowed retaliation against the US move. This development marks a shift from 2018, when China responded to Trump-era tariffs with an escalating trade war, as Beijing's response now suggests increased confidence and a willingness to take a strong stand against the US.