With US President Donald Trump raising import duties on Chinese products, a 'trade war' between the world's two largest economies is expected to escalate. After Trump's decision to increase import tariffs, China has said that it is ready for "any kind of war" with the US.

"If the US wants a war, whether it's an import tariff or a trade war or any other kind of war, we are ready to fight to the end," the Chinese foreign ministry said.

The comments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were reposted by the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., on the social network X. US President Trump has imposed a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China, effective Tuesday. In return, China has immediately imposed import duties of 10 to 15 percent on American agricultural products. 

China has warned the US while Chinese leaders are gathering in the capital Beijing for the annual conference of the National People's Congress. Submitting a report to the third plenary session of the People's Congress, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang has announced that China's defense spending will increase by 7.2 percent.

During that, Lee said that the world is undergoing rapid changes that have not been seen in a century. It is assumed that the Chinese Prime Minister's latest statement was made public to give a message to the people that the country's economy can be expanded despite the risk of a trade war. It is his attempt to present the image of China as a stable and peaceful country compared to America. 

Chinese officials have been saying that the US is embroiled in internal conflicts and politics in West Asia and Ukraine. China is also planning to benefit from countries like Canada and Mexico, where the US has recently imposed import taxes. Because of this, it is believed that the Chinese Prime Minister reacted strongly against the US. That's why Prime Minister Lee said that China will be more open and emphasized on attracting foreign investment. Even before, China responded that it is ready for war. 

In response to the US move, China has announced additional tariffs of up to 15 percent on imports of key US agricultural products, including chicken, pork, soybeans and beef. Similarly, China has imposed export controls and other restrictions on nearly two dozen US companies.

"China will resolutely defend its rights and interests," the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Tuesday. China says that Trump's new decision is unilateral and threatening. 

The United States has been blaming the importation of the drug "fentanyl" into its country from China. But the Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied the US accusations. "The fentanyl case is a flimsy pretext for the US to impose tariffs on Chinese imports," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. Jian said that if the US continues to fight a tax war, trade war or any other kind of war, the Chinese side will also fight to the end. "We are not afraid of intimidation. Pressure, coercion and coercion are not the right way to deal with China," he said. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping last October ordered the military to be strengthened for war. At that time, China also conducted military exercises around the self-governing island of Taiwan. There is frequent tension between the US and China. But after President Xi was invited to Trump's swearing-in ceremony, it was expected that China-US relations would go smoothly under the Trump administration.

Trump also said that the two leaders had a "good phone conversation" a few days before entering the White House. But the phone conversation that was supposed to take place between Trump and Xi last month did not happen.