China has issued a sharp rebuke of the United States following the imposition of new tariffs on China and 59 other nations, citing alleged forced labour violations as the basis for the measures.
Beijing warned Washington against engaging in a trade war, framing the levies as an escalation that threatens global economic stability.
The tariffs, which range from 10 per cent upwards depending on the sector and country, mark a significant broadening of US trade policy.
By targeting a wide array of nations beyond China, the US administration is signalling a more aggressive stance on supply chain compliance and human rights standards in international commerce.
This development follows a pattern of increasing friction between Beijing and Washington.
In recent weeks, China has firmly rejected US legislative proposals aimed at sanctioning purchasers of Russian energy, with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian warning that artificial severing of global supply chains would harm all parties involved.