U.S. weaponization of tariffs reaches irrational level: commerce ministry

The United States has been playing a meaningless tariff game and China will ignore it, a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

When replying to a question about the United States' 245 percent tariff on certain products from China, the spokesperson said the United States has instrumentalized and weaponized tariffs to an irrational level.

China has repeatedly clarified its stance on U.S. "reciprocal tariffs," and will ignore this meaningless game of tariffs, the spokesperson noted. However, should the United States persist in substantially undermining China's interests, China will take firm countermeasures and fight to the end.

China and Colombia on Wednesday signed a plan for bilateral cooperation in promoting cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and an agreement on exchange and bilateral cooperation in the field of economic development.

Witnessing the signing of the Plan between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Colombia on Jointly Promoting Construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road were Chinese President Xi Jinping and visiting Colombian President Gustavo Petro, after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The plan aims to enhance bilateral practical cooperation in various fields to achieve mutual benefits and a win-win outcome.

Also signed was the Memorandum of Understanding on Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Economic Development between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Colombia.

The MoU is expected to promote policy sharing and experience exchange in the fields of macroeconomics, the Belt and Road Initiative, economic and trade investment, sustainable development, and the digital economy.