China threatened Trump: 'Ready to fight to the end' if necessary

In a defiant tone, the spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, warned that any conflict with the United States, whether commercial, tariff-related, or military, not only must be avoided,  but it has no chance of victory for either side.

"Whatever it is, it must not be fought and it can't be won", declared Lin, raising tensions between the two powers after stating that China is  "ready to fight to the end"  if necessary.

The message, disseminated on the Ministry's official account on X (Twitter), urged Washington to abandon the  "outdated Cold War mentality", asserting that China is not a reflection of the American hegemonic model and will not accept attempts at containment under the guise of "strategic competition."

China strengthens its defense budget amid the dispute

The statements come in a context of increasing militarization by China. In the recent session of the National People's Congress, Beijing approved a 7.2% increase in its defense budget, reaching USD 245 billion.

While the increase is moderate compared to previous years, experts believe that Xi Jinping seeks to modernize his armed forces and maintain an increasingly defiant stance in the geopolitical arena.

Among the most notable investments in its military are:

• New generations of stealth fighters.
• More aircraft carriers to expand its maritime influence.
• Advanced missile systems.

This military reinforcement coincides with rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, a territory that China claims as its own, but which maintains an independent government with the support of the United States.

Beijing has intensified its military exercises in the region, sending a clear message against any attempt to declare formal independence for Taiwan.

The trade war and the cyber battle

Another point of friction has been the cyberspace, where Lin Jian rejected the accusations of Chinese cyberattacks against the US.

"We reject these unfounded accusations. In December, the Chinese cybersecurity agency revealed attacks against Chinese tech companies perpetrated by US intelligence," assured the spokesperson.

Beijing accuses Washington of applying a double standard, criminalizing China while engaging in similar activities in the cyber realm.

Meanwhile, the trade war between the two powers has been reignited with the imposition of  new tariffs by the Trump administration on Chinese products.

The Chinese Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, stated that China will not yield to intimidation, and assured that the country's economy can withstand these new obstacles.

"There are no winners in a trade war, but if the US moves in this direction, we will respond in kind," Wang stated.

Fentanyl, the "excuse" behind the tariffs

One of the arguments of the Trump administration to justify the new tariffs has been the trafficking of fentanyl, whose  chemical precursors mostly come from China.

In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called this stance a "flimsy excuse", and argued that the problem of this drug's consumption is the responsibility of the US, despite Beijing claiming to have made efforts to cooperate in its fight.

Despite the growing hostility in the discourse, both Lin and Wang left the possibility of dialogue open.

"We can meet at the right time and our teams are ready to communicate as soon as possible", noted Wang, although he emphasized that any conversation must take place under "mutual respect."

A conflict with no resolution in sight

Tensions between China and the United States continue to escalate on multiple fronts:

• Military, with the reinforcement of the People's Liberation Army and the dispute in Taiwan.
• Commercial, with the imposition of new tariffs.
• Cyber, with cross-accusations of attacks.

While both sides have left the possibility of dialogue open, the hardening of positions and the lack of mutual trust make the relationship between the world's two largest powers increasingly volatile.