China has warned that it will retaliate if the United States keeps pushing for the tariff hike on the allegation that Beijing is supplying military support to Iran.
The tariff hike follows US President Donald Trump’s warning that any country aiding Iran’s military would face tariffs of up to 50 percent on goods entering the US.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson has, however, dismissed the allegation that China is providing military support to Iran in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“China always acts prudently and responsibly on the export of military products, and exercises strict control in accordance with China’s laws and regulations and due international obligations. Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated. If the US goes ahead with the tariff hikes on China based on these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures,” read the statement dated April 14 by the spokesperson on his X account.
Also Read: Trump Fires Warning After U.S. Intel Revealed China May Send Weapons to Iran
US Trade Tariff Threat to China
Speaking during an interview with Fox Business on Sunday, Trump affirmed that the 50% tariff will be imposed on China.
According to the US President, insider reports suggested that Beijing was preparing to deliver a shipment of air defense systems to Iran; however, the Chinese government had not confirmed the deployment of the weapons.
In addition to the threat of a tariff increase, Trump announced a complete blockade of vessels exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement followed the peace talks between Iran and the US, with Iranian media citing unreasonable demands from the American delegation led by Vice President JD Vance.
In response, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Mao Ning, told a reporter at an April 8 press conference that China had been actively working to promote peace talks and end hostilities.
According to the reports by the CNBC, President Trump is slated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a summit in Beijing on May 14 and 15.
Despite China being one of the countries that had supported Iran, no reports indicate that official accounts of Beijing have provided Tehran with military support or funding since the beginning of the conflict on February 28.
Also Read: Trump Says US Will Start Clearing Hormuz for China and European Allies
China’s involvement with Iran
A report from the maritime intelligence firm Kpler shows that in 2025, Beijing reportedly purchased more than 80 percent of Iran’s exports during sanctions.
The oil from Iran was said to have met more than 10 percent of China’s demand, according to the reports.
Chinese-flagged oil tankers in the Persian Gulf have reportedly been among the vessels granted passage through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the Middle East.
Despite the reports, China’s National Development and Reform Commission noted that since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, gasoline prices in China have risen by approximately 11 percent.
