Beijing, April 10– China has announced a cutback on American film imports following a steep tariff hike by US President Donald Trump, who raised duties on Chinese goods to 125 percent while pausing similar levies on most other countries.
The decision comes amid intensifying trade tensions, with Beijing warning that it will not tolerate Washington’s “pressure, threats and blackmail.”
The state-run China Film Administration said on Thursday that the tariff escalation risks further alienating Chinese audiences from American cinema.
“The US government’s erroneous practice of imposing excessive tariffs on China is likely to further diminish the Chinese audience’s favourable perception of American films,” it said in a statement.
“We will adhere to market principles, respect audience choices and moderately reduce the import volume of American films.”
China’s Commerce Ministry also signaled readiness to respond firmly. “If the US is bent on waging a trade war, China will fight to the end,” ministry spokesperson He Yongqian told reporters.
He urged Washington to return to the negotiating table, stressing, “Dialogue must be based on mutual respect and conducted on equal footing.”
He added, “We hope that the two countries will meet each other halfway and work towards resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, guided by the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.”
President Trump’s new tariff package targets over $438 billion worth of Chinese exports, while Beijing has retaliated with duties on 84 percent of $143 billion in American exports.
The trade dispute has also triggered domestic unease. A rare public opinion survey in China indicated rising anxiety among Chinese citizens over the long-term economic impact of the conflict with the US.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Jian accused Washington of wielding tariffs as a coercive tool. “Out of its selfish interests, the US has used tariffs as a weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek selfish gains,” Li told a press briefing. He stressed that China would not stand by passively. “We won’t let Washington use tariffs as a weapon,” he said, warning that China’s response aims to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests.
Li further noted that Trump’s tariff strategy targets more than just China. “The US tariffs are against the whole world,” he said, underscoring China’s stance that its countermeasures are in defense of global trade norms.
“Our actions are not only to protect our own interests, but also to uphold international fairness, justice, and the multilateral trading system,” he added.
As the standoff deepens, both sides remain entrenched, with hopes for a negotiated solution hinging on the willingness to restore equitable dialogue.
