China hits back at Trump's trade war with reciprocal tariffs on US

BeijingInternational tensions are the main focus of the annual plenary session of the Chinese Parliament, the most important political event of the year in the Asian giant. The tariff escalation with the United States At a time of economic slowdown, China is forced to focus on designing measures to boost growth and avoid social unrest.

The festive atmosphere created by the hundreds of delegates greeting each other and taking photos on the steps of the People's Palace in Tiananmen Square contrasts with the reality of international politics. On the same day that the most important political meeting of the year begins in Beijing, the two plenary sessions of Parliament, a new round of Chinese tariffs is announced in response to the US tariffs.

The capital has been sealed off with extensive and visible security measures to host the event, popularly known as Lianghui, which literally means "two sessions." The doors of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPX), the country's top advisory body, open today, and tomorrow it will be the turn of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislature.

US President Donald Trump chose March 4, the day the Lianghui began, to put into effect a new round of 10% tariffs on Chinese products. Beijing has not hesitated to respond with countermeasures. The Chinese government has announced a 10% tariff increase on imports of American soybeans, pork, beef, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Other products such as wheat, corn and cotton will be subject to a 15% surcharge.

The Asian giant, which remains the main customer of many American farmers, is trying to harm sectors and states where there are majority Republican voters. Import restrictions have also been imposed on 25 US companies citing security concerns.

China has also called Donald Trump's accusations that it is not doing enough to stop the US from doing business as excuses and "blackmail". Fentanyl does not reach the United States. Beijing continues to argue that a trade war benefits no one and undermines bilateral economic cooperation.

The tariff war comes at a time of weakness for the Chinese economy. Although 2024 ended with an increase in exports, the real estate crisis, rising unemployment and difficulties in activating domestic consumption are the main concerns.

Mechanism to check the social acceptance of the Chinese government

The Lianghui always focuses on the country's internal politics, takes stock of the year in government and outlines the roadmap for the future. However, this year the international situation has fully entered into the two sessions. They are held in parallel with closed-door meetings for just over a week and are a well-oiled liturgy to expose the workings of power. The legislature has no power to control the government: the proposals arrive already agreed upon and are presented in the inaugural speech. At the end of the conclave they are approved in a public vote by an overwhelming majority.

The fear of social unrest will be the focus of some of the proposals that will be discussed during the session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. This advisory body made up of members of civil society is used so that proposals that interest different groups reach the government. The reality is that it is often used to launch a trial balloon and check social acceptance.

This year, the official press has highlighted the proposal to lower the legal age of marriage to eighteen and to eliminate the limit of being able to have only three children. These are measures that are part of the attempts to promote marriage and consequently birth rate and which have been met with all kinds of criticism on social media.

It will also be proposed to increase pensions and aid for families with children and young people without work. In addition, many initiatives have been registered to discuss the development of artificial intelligence.

The proposals will be debated and some will be raised to higher bodies. Hopefully, at the October meeting of the central committee they will be ratified so that they can be approved at the plenary session in 2026.

The opening of the consultative session brings together delegates from the party, trade unionists, members of associations, academics, businessmen and representatives of minorities, a varied social representation that contrasts with the association. This Wednesday, in the plenary of parliament, hundreds of men, dressed in grey or army green, and few women will follow the government report that will be read by Prime Minister Li Qiangon, where the political and economic objectives for the future will be defined.