{"id":94226,"date":"2025-04-08T07:00:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-08T15:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/?p=94226"},"modified":"2025-04-08T06:30:21","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T14:30:21","slug":"china-and-usa-escalate-trade-tariffs-what-is-chinas-non-military-nuclear-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cogwriter.com\/news\/prophecy\/china-and-usa-escalate-trade-tariffs-what-is-chinas-non-military-nuclear-option\/","title":{"rendered":"China and USA escalate trade tariffs–what is China’s non-military ‘nuclear option’?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n(Pexels photo)<\/em><\/p>\n

COGwriter<\/a><\/p>\n

China has responded to\u00a0Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs:<\/p>\n

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China refuses to back down on tariffs after Trump threatened tougher measures<\/h2>\n

April 8, 2025<\/p>\n

China is refusing to back down from President Donald Trump’s “blackmail,” as a global trade war<\/a> sparked by Trump’s new tariffs rages on.<\/p>\n

This comes after Trump threatened to increase tariffs on U.S. imports from the Asian country to more than 100% if Beijing refuses to reverse its move to match the “reciprocal” duties announced last week by the American president.<\/p>\n

Trump said he would impose an additional 50% duty<\/a> on U.S. imports from China if Beijing did not drop the 34% tariffs it imposed on U.S. products last week, which would bring the total levies against China to 104%. Beijing retaliated after Trump announced 34% tariffs against China on top of the 20% already imposed against the country earlier this year.<\/p>\n

“The U.S. side’s threat to escalate tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake, once again exposing the American side’s blackmailing nature,” China’s commerce ministry said.<\/p>\n

“If the U.S. insists on having its way, China will fight to the end,” it added. https:\/\/www.foxbusiness.com\/politics\/china-refuses-back-down-tariffs-trump-threatened-tougher-measures<\/a><\/p>\n

8 April 2025<\/p>\n

China has hit back with tit-for-tat levies – 34% – and Trump warned that he would retaliate with an additional 50% tariff if Beijing doesn’t back down. …<\/p>\n

“What we are seeing is a game of who can bear more pain. We’ve stopped talking about any sense of gain,” Mary Lovely, a US-China trade expert at the Peterson Institute in Washington DC, told the BBC’s Newshour programme.<\/p>\n

Despite its slowing economy<\/a>, China may “very well be willing to endure the pain to avoid capitulating to what they believe is US aggression”, she added. …<\/p>\n

China has a “wide toolkit” for retaliation, he adds, such as depreciating their currency further or clamping down on US firms.<\/p>\n

“I think the question is how restrained will they be? There’s retaliation to save face and there’s pulling out the whole arsenal. It’s not clear if China wants to go down that path. It just might.” https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/ckg51yw700lo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Before going further, let me add that these increases in tariffs for goods imported from China into the USA will be inflationary–prices will go up.<\/p>\n

Michael Snyder posted the following related to that:<\/p>\n

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Are You Ready To Pay A 104% Tariff On All Products From China?<\/h2>\n

April 7, 2025<\/p>\n

How many products do you have in your home right now that were made in China? If you are like most Americans, that number is very high. We should have never allowed ourselves to become so dependent on cheap Chinese goods, but we did. Walmart, Target and our dollar stores are absolutely teeming with products that were manufactured in China, and now those products are about to get much more expensive. The 34 percent \u201cretaliatory tariff\u201d that the Trump administration recently imposed on the Chinese was on top of a 20 percent tariff that the Trump administration had already imposed on them. The White House has confirmed this. Unfortunately, the 54 percent tariff that we were potentially facing will now rise to 104 percent thanks to an additional 50 percent tariff that will go into effect on April 9th. …<\/p>\n

No matter how the pundits try to spin this, the truth is that we will be paying this tariff if we continue to purchase Chinese products.<\/p>\n

It is easy to say that we should just switch to products made in the U.S., but in thousands of cases there simply are not any similar products manufactured here. …<\/p>\n

I am particularly concerned about what these tariffs will do to the pharmaceutical industry, because Google AI says that the vast majority of the active ingredients in our pharmaceutical drugs are imported from China\u2026<\/p>\n

We are in so much trouble. https:\/\/theeconomiccollapseblog.com\/are-you-ready-to-pay-a-104-tariff-on-all-products-from-china\/<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As I mentioned last week, tariffs are a type of tax that increases the cost of goods–hence they tend to be inflationary.<\/p>\n

There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s statements and policies, including relating to trade and tariffs.<\/p>\n

That said, notice the following headlines:<\/p>\n

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The nuclear option China could take in trade war with the US<\/h2>\n

Retaliatory tariffs may only be the beginning of Beijing\u2019s counter attack https:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/business\/2025\/04\/07\/nuclear-option-china-could-take-in-trade-war-with-us\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Related to China and the ‘nuclear option,’ notice something from my latest book available at Amazon Kindle: Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?<\/a>\u00a0as well as Amazon print\u00a0Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?<\/a><\/span><\/span>:<\/p>\n

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No nation has ever been in as much total debt as the USA<\/p>\n

The \u201cU.S. is highly vulnerable to loss of confidence by foreign creditors.\u201d[i]<\/a> U.S. government debt is \u201cextremely vulnerable to foreign attack because of the high percentage of foreign ownership.\u201d[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n

Interestingly, in the past, one foreign creditor, China, has raised concerns about the U.S. debt that are so serious, that its potential dumping of that debt has been called China\u2019s \u201cnuclear option\u201d[iii]<\/a> against the USA\u2014an option that involves no military intervention, but that could greatly harm the USA.<\/p>\n

European leaders have been working for years to establish a new reserve currency for the world, partially with the intent to remove the USA dollar from its current position as a reserve currency.<\/p>\n

Those in Russia, Iran and some of the Arab lands, along with nations such as Brazil and India have discussed plans for the removal of the dominance of the USA dollar in global trade as well. Many are now working on that, along with China, in what is called the BRICS alliance.[iv]<\/a> While Donald Trump did not cause all of this, an unintended consequence of the use of sanctions in the Trump-Pence Administration (as well as by the Biden-Harris Administration) is that more nations are looking to bypass the dollar. …<\/p>\n

One of the unintended consequences of Donald Trump\u2019s threats of tariffs and other trade matters is that it is motivating nations he has threatened to look to trade more with each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

[i]<\/a> Rickards J. Axis of Gold. The Daily Reckoning, December 20, 2016<\/p>\n

[ii]<\/a> Ibid<\/p>\n

[iii]<\/a> Gertz B,\u00a0 China Debt Threat.\u00a0 Washington Times, March 2, 2011<\/p>\n

[iv]<\/a> BRICS Expansion, the G20, and the Future of World Order. Carnegie Endowment for the International Peace, October 9, 2024<\/sup><\/p>\n

(Thiel B. Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?<\/a> Nazarene Books, 2025, pp. 38-39, 52)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is the nuclear option?<\/p>\n

Yahoo<\/em> posted the following:<\/p>\n

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In theory, Xi is sitting on a potentially nuclear option as he turns the screws on Trump.<\/p>\n

China is the second-largest holder of US debt, known as treasuries, in the world. If it opted to dump this government debt, the blow to the US would be seismic.<\/p>\n

According to the US Treasury, in January, China held $761bn (\u00a3592bn) in American government bonds. …<\/p>\n

If China embarked on a mass sale of its US treasuries, the value of the debt would plunge and yields would soar. This would drive up US government borrowing costs and hammer the public finances in a highly destabilising move.<\/p>\n

But the scenario is highly unlikely, not least because the pain for China would be huge. …<\/p>\n

The Chinese state and its banks own around $3 trillion in dollar assets. \u201cThat\u2019s roughly the value of UK GDP,\u201d says Williams. \u201cThere is no way to offload $3 trillion of assets in a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

If China started selling, it would trigger a plunge in dollar values, immediately hammering the value of all of its remaining dollar holdings. 04\/07\/25 https:\/\/finance.yahoo.com\/news\/nuclear-option-china-could-trade-150000821.html<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I saw Bill O’Reilly on News Nation<\/em> last night mention China’s holding of US treasuries. He saw this as a point of leverage that China has.<\/p>\n

China does have that, but realizes it needs to be cautious about it.<\/p>\n

To reduce risks to itself, the Chinese have reduced its government’s holdings of US treasuries over the years–but it still has a lot.<\/p>\n

One day, if it does not slowly reduce its holdings to a negligible amount, I expect China to utilize its nuclear option–dumping its US assets, which will help eliminate the US dollar as the primary reserve currency for the world.<\/p>\n

That will NOT end well for the USA.<\/p>\n

China is also facing risks:<\/p>\n

8 April 2025<\/p>\n

China\u2019s political system \u2013 where state power and social control are dominated by the ruling Communist Party<\/span><\/a> \u2013 could give Beijing an edge in a new trade war with the United States compared with other countries, experts and insiders have said.<\/div>\n

But they warned that Chinese companies and local governments may lack the creativity to respond to a tariff war, as they rely on directives from the powerful central government. …<\/p>\n

Zhu Feng, dean of the School of International Studies at Nanjing University, said China\u2019s state-led administrative system had more room for \u201cmacroscopic prevention, adjustment and shifting to deal with the huge impact of the trade war on its economy and industry\u201d.<\/p>\n

If the trade war led to a sharp drop in China\u2019s exports to the US, it would \u201chave a catastrophic impact on the economy and damage people\u2019s livelihoods and social stability\u201d, Zhu said. …<\/p>\n

Experts agreed that a trade war between the world\u2019s two largest economies would most likely worsen China\u2019s domestic economic situation.<\/p>\n

Shi Yinhong<\/span><\/a>, a professor at the School of International Studies at Renmin University in Beijing, said China\u2019s internal unity was \u201cnot very solid\u201d because of the economic downturn and high unemployment.<\/div>\n

\u201cPeople\u2019s livelihoods are the most real things, and weak employment and incomes are big problems,\u201d said the political scientist in eastern China.<\/p>\n

But it would be unlikely that China would see mass protests over issues such as rising prices, as in the US, he added. https:\/\/www.scmp.com\/news\/china\/politics\/article\/3305713\/beijings-political-system-could-give-it-edge-trade-war-trump-experts-say<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

That said, there is another ‘nuclear option’ for China. This one would involve massively devaluing its currency as Newsweek<\/em> reported last May:<\/p>\n

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Here’s How China’s Economic ‘Nuclear Option’ Would Impact US<\/h2>\n

May 24, 2024<\/p>\n

China’s insatiable appetite for gold<\/a>, copper, and other commodities has led to a debate over whether Beijing is gathering resources to hedge against the consequences of devaluing its currency.<\/p>\n

If Beijing invoked the “nuclear option” and intentionally weakened the yuan (RMB), this would likely draw a fiery response from Washington, …<\/p>\n

Weakening a currency relative to others has benefits, such as boosting exports by making them cheaper. This may be tempting to China’s leadership amid a manufacturing glut and low consumer confidence.<\/p>\n

But there are also notable risks to such a move, including pricier imports, higher inflation, destabilization in the global currency market<\/a>, and trade wars with nations suddenly flooded with Chinese goods that outcompete domestic industries. This has led economists to dub devaluation a “nuclear option.”<\/a>…<\/p>\n

The move would bring down the prices of myriad made-in-China products and put pressure on U.S. companies to do the same. https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/how-china-economic-nuclear-option-would-impact-us-1898488<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If China were to devalue its currency in half, that would pretty much mitigate the 104% tariffs it may now be facing from the USA.<\/p>\n

That would helps its exports, but could cause problems, including unrest in China itself.<\/p>\n

There will be many unintended consequences of Donald Trump’s actions, statements, and threats.<\/p>\n

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Some items of possibly related interest may include:<\/em><\/p>\n

Trade Disputes: CCOG Warnings Are Coming to Pass<\/a> Trade tensions and talks of trade wars have escalated. US President Donald Trump has put Europe, China, Mexico, and other lands on notice that he wants to change how international trade with the USA has been going. Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, and even more tariffs are being implemented. Is this all just happenstance? Are we yet in a trade war? What will Europe do? Has the Church of God been warning about trade disputes and a coming trade war for decades? What about the Continuing Church of God (CCOG)? What has been warned, what has been happening, and what will happen? Will trade disputes be a factor in World War III (WW3)? Dr. Thiel explains what has been taught and what to expect.
\nChina, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters<\/a> Where did the Chinese people come from? Japeth, Javan, Magog? Is there evidence that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel? What do Chinese writings and characters help show? What about the Garden of Eden, Noah\u2019s Flood, and the Tower of Babel? Here is a link to a version of this article in Spanish: \u00bfPrueban los caracteres chinos la exactitud de la Biblia?<\/a> A related sermon is also available: China\u2019s biblical past and prophetic actions<\/a>.
\nChina, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China<\/a> When did Christianity first come to China? What about the Apostle Thomas? Did Confucius say anything to get the Chinese to possibly consider Christianity? Is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath? What about the Ten Commandments? What type of Church of God witness has there been to China? What has been happening with China that ties it together with prophecies in Revelation? What about the 200 million man army and Armageddon? What about the Belt and Road Initiative and end time Babylon the Great? A related sermon is also available: China\u2019s biblical past and prophetic actions<\/a>. Watch also China\u2019s Silk Road and Babylon the Great<\/a>.
\n Asia in Prophecy<\/a> What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon? Here is a link to a related sermon: Asia in Prophecy<\/a>. Two YouTube video are Is China THE Threat to the United States of America?<\/a> and China: A King of the East<\/a>.
\n25 items to prophetically watch in 2025<\/a> Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 25 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon video: 25 Items to Watch in 2025<\/a>.
\nLost Tribes and Prophecies:\u00a0What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?<\/a> Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA<\/a>; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications<\/a>; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes<\/a>; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty<\/a>; Gentile European Beast<\/a>; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies<\/a>; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;<\/a>\u00a0 When Will the End of the Age Come?<\/a>;\u00a0 Rise of the Prophesied King of the North<\/a>; Christian Persecution from the Beast<\/a>; WWIII and the Coming New World Order<\/a>; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God<\/a>.
\nUnintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?<\/a>\u00a0 Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen. The link takes you to a book available at Amazon.com.
\n<\/span>Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?<\/a>\u00a0Kindle edition is available for only US$3.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device:\u00a0Please click HERE to download one of Amazon \u0019s\u00a0Free<\/strong>\u00a0Reader Apps<\/a>. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to\u00a0Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump\u2019s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Pexels photo) COGwriter China has responded to\u00a0Donald Trump’s escalation of tariffs: China refuses to back down on tariffs after Trump threatened tougher measures April 8, 2025 China is refusing to back down from President Donald Trump’s “blackmail,” as a global trade war sparked by Trump’s new tariffs rages on. This comes after Trump threatened to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-prophecy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t