Tariffs, Trump: US wants to help China, not harm it

The spokesman also pointed out that, just over twenty days after the last round of bilateral talks in Madrid, the US continued to add Chinese companies to its sanctions list, expanding the scope of restrictions and introducing new policies against Chinese shipping.

"Threatening China with high tariffs is not the right way to dialogue. On the trade war, Beijing's position has always been consistent: we do not want a trade war, but we do not fear one," the ministry representative said, adding that China "will take corresponding measures" if Washington proceeds with the new tariffs.

The escalation marks an abrupt reversal after recent openings between the two countries. Only a few weeks ago, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had had a telephone conversation and agreed to meet at the Apec summit in South Korea, scheduled for the end of the month. But Trump himself later stated that he saw 'no reason' to meet Xi, only to later clarify that he had not cancelled the appointment altogether.

The new 100% tariffs, in addition to those already in place, are expected to come into force on or before 1 November, along with further restrictions on the export of sensitive software.

China, for its part, has recently introduced controls on the export of rare earths and advanced technologies, as well as on products such as lithium-ion batteries. Beijing defended these measures as 'legitimate actions to strengthen control over the export of dual-use goods and safeguard regional peace and stability'. The ministry also assured that it had assessed the impact on global supply chains and was 'confident that the effects will be very limited'.

A $10-15 billion rescue plan for US farmers damaged by the tariffs war and exceptionally high harvests this year - that's the amount of the aid package the Trump administration is preparing to launch, despite the stranded assets due to the temporary suspension of the federal government's activities.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had statedlast week that the White House would announce the aid onTuesday, while three sources quoted by Reuters reported that the package could be made public within the week.

According to a spokesman for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), farmers are already benefiting from tax cuts, new trade agreements and updates to agricultural programmes included in the 'spending & tax' bill passed in July, dubbed 'One Big Beautiful Bill' by Trump.