China has announced its intent to file a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and take retaliatory measures against the United States following President Donald Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs on Chinese goods. The Chinese Commerce Ministry released a statement on February 2, strongly condemning Washington’s unilateral tariff hikes and accusing the US of “seriously violating” WTO regulations.

The latest tariffs, set to take effect on February 4, include a 25% tax on all imports from Mexico, a similar levy on most goods from Canada, and a 10% tariff on Chinese products. Trump justified the move by citing the failure of these nations in curbing the flow of migrants and illicit drugs-particularly fentanyl-into the United States. The administration invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which grants the president broad authority to regulate commerce in response to an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to national security.

A White House fact sheet outlined the justification for the tariffs, stating that they would remain in place “until the crisis is alleviated.” Trump’s administration argues that countries like China have not done enough to control fentanyl production and exports, contributing to America’s opioid crisis.

Beijing responded swiftly and strongly to Trump’s move. The Commerce Ministry expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with the tariffs, arguing that they do nothing to resolve Washington’s domestic issues while simultaneously damaging economic ties between the world’s two largest economies.

“It is not only unhelpful in solving [Washington’s] own problems but also undermines the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US,” the statement read.

China’s government confirmed that it would formally challenge the tariffs at the WTO, an institution that has the authority to permit retaliatory........

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