Trump announced that any country that trades with Iran will be subject to a 25% tariff! So what should China do?
This tax increase is fierce in tone and strong in wording, giving a sense of desperation. It may also be related to Iran's announcement that the domestic situation has been completely under control.
So what should China do? In fact, although China-Iran trade relations have deepened in recent years, the scale is limited. According to Chinese customs data, China's imports from Iran in 2025 were approximately $30 billion, mainly crude oil, although it accounts for less than 5% of China's total crude oil imports. This means that as long as a country does business with Iran, the US will impose a 5% tariff on China.
If the US really imposes a 25% tariff on Chinese goods, China is highly likely to retaliate in kind under the "Foreign Sanctions Resistance Law," such as imposing tariffs or restricting procurement in key areas like US agricultural products, Boeing aircraft, and semiconductor equipment. It is worth noting that the US is also waiting to sell soybeans to China, and imports rare earths from China. If the two sides break off, the US itself would suffer heavy losses.
Will Trump "hold his nose and swallow it"? It depends on his real goals. He may be willing to "handle it flexibly" on the tariff issue. But if it doesn't produce quick results, this high-profile threat could become just a performance - neither scaring China nor angering allies.
Businessmen are used to solving problems through transactions, threats, and maximizing short-term interests, but international relations are not merger negotiations. The global trading system is built on rules, trust, and long-term expectations. Arbitrarily using tariffs as a weapon will severely undermine one's credit.
In the end, provocation is easy, but ending it is difficult. The real "ability" is not shouting the harshest words, but being able to manage the situation.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854162708615242/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.