Relations between China and the United States are going through a critical moment following Donald Trump's administration's decision to impose new tariffs on Chinese products. In response, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement with a defiant message: "If what the United States wants is a war, whether it's a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we are ready to fight to the end."
Xi Jinping's regime considers that the fight against fentanyl trafficking is just an excuse to justify these protectionist measures and blames Washington for the drug's consumption in its territory. "The United States has tried to defame and blame China, and is trying to pressure and blackmail with tariff increases," they stated from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Increase in military spending in China
Amid these tensions, the National People's Congress of China announced a 7.2% increase in the defense budget, reaching 245 billion dollars. Although the increase is similar to last year's, the Asian giant's military spending remains the second highest in the world after that of the United States.
The People's Liberation Army has accelerated the modernization of its fleet, consolidating its presence in the South China Sea and increasing its arsenal of advanced technology, such as stealth fighters and aircraft carriers.
Additionally, it has intensified its presence around Taiwan, conducting military incursions with the aim of wearing down the island's defenses, which has strengthened its capability with U.S. weaponry.
