As numerous governments attempt to negotiate trade deals with the U.S. in order to avoid President Donald Trump’s heightened tariffs, China’s communist government is threatening to retaliate against those who secure trade deals with the U.S. “at the expense of China’s interests.”

In a statement issued Monday, the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Ministry of Commerce claimed that the U.S. is “abus[ing] tariffs on all its trading partners under the banner of so-called ‘reciprocity,’ while at the same time forcing all parties to start so-called ‘reciprocal tariff negotiations’ with it.” The statement emphasized that the CCP “firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests” and warned, “If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a reciprocal manner. China is determined and capable of safeguarding its own rights and interests.” The statement concluded, “Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot be respected.”

In comments to The Washington Stand, China expert and author Gordon Chang, a distinguished senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, said, “Yes, Beijing said it will retaliate against countries that cooperate with the U.S. in undermining China’s trade interests, but how are Chinese leaders going to retaliate? Just about everything that China can do hurts China as much or more than it hurts others.” He continued, “That’s the downside of running a predatory and criminal trade policy that racked up a $992.2 billion trade surplus last year. Trade surplus countries are the ones with everything to lose in trade battles.”

Following the president’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements, as many as 70 countries have sought to negotiate trade deals with the U.S. While Japan, European nations, and others have signaled a willingness to lower their own tariffs against the U.S., China has actually increased its tariffs. Trump temporarily paused tariffs on other nations at 10%, down from the various “reciprocal” rates announced on “Liberation Day,” but ratcheted up tariffs against China to 145%. China, meanwhile, has raised its tariffs against the U.S. to 125%.

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, the president shared that “many World Leaders and Business Executives have come to me asking for relief from Tariffs.” He continued, “It’s good to see that the World knows we are serious, because WE ARE! They must right the wrongs of decades of abuse, but it won’t be easy for them.” With the CCP effectively issuing an ultimatum to other nations to choose between China and the U.S., the president added, “We must rebuild the Wealth of our Great Country, and create true RECIPROCITY. But for those who want the easiest path: Come to America, and build in America!”

While the White House has not officially stated that curbing trade with China would be required of other nations in order to secure beneficial trade deals, the president was asked in a Fox News interview whether other countries — specifically South and Central American countries — should choose between doing business with either China or the U.S. He replied, “Maybe, yeah, maybe. They should do that.”

Chang commented, “Beijing’s unhinged threat suggests Chinese leaders are now worried that President Trump will change the global trading system in ways they do not like.” He continued, “Trump is using the lure of America’s market, by far the largest in the world, to entice countries into a new trade order centered on the United States. An arrogant China, which sees itself as the center of the world, could be left out in the cold.”