China vows ‘resolute, effective measures’ after US' additional 50% tariff
Beijing, Apr 9 (PTI): China on Wednesday promised to take “resolute and forceful” measures to safeguard its rights and interests, after net total tariffs of 104 per cent by President Donald Trump on Chinese imports into the US took effect.
After Trump's additional 50 per cent tariffs on the world's second-largest economy, China has not announced any new tariffs on the US.
President Trump’s next round of punishing tariffs on some of America’s largest trading partners went into effect on Wednesday, including stiff new levies that will increase import taxes on Chinese goods by at least 104 percent.
Trump’s explosive new tariffs on 60 countries came into effect just after midnight Wednesday US time.
The additional tariffs on China kicked in after Beijing refused to meet Trump's deadline to withdraw its own retaliatory levies on the US.
Asked why China has not slapped retaliatory tariffs after Tuesday’s assertions to fight till the end and whether the two countries are holding talks to resolve the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here “China continues to take firm and resolute measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests”.
"We will not tolerate any attempt to harm China’s sovereignty, security and development interests”, he said.
"As for the dialogue you mentioned, if the US really wants to address the issue through talks it should take the attitude of equality respect and mutual benefit," he said.
"But right now, the US still abusing tariffs on China perusing maximum pressure and China opposes and never accepts such bullying and hegemonic acts," he said.
On April 2, the president imposed a 10 per cent global tariff on hundreds of countries and promised far steeper “reciprocal” tariffs on April 9 for nations that he maintains have “ripped off” America.
Since February, the president has imposed successive rounds of tariffs on China. On Wednesday, the minimum tax on Chinese imports hit 104 per cent.
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Dr. Shriram Nene calls India’s approach to Cannabis 'Hypocritical,' recalls medical use in US
Mumbai: Renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Shriram Nene, who is also the husband of actor Madhuri Dixit, has criticised India’s stance on cannabis, calling it “hypocritical” in comparison to its regulated medical use in other countries, including the United States.
Speaking on his health and wellness YouTube channel during a conversation with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Dr. Nene shared his experience of prescribing cannabis to cancer patients in the US, where medical marijuana is legal under controlled conditions.
“In India, there’s a bit of hypocrisy, it’s not that big of a deal,” Dr. Nene remarked, pointing out that while substances like ‘bhaang’ have been culturally accepted and traditionally used by ascetics and others, the broader discourse around cannabis continues to be burdened by stigma and legal constraints.
He elaborated that during his time as a practicing surgeon in the US, cannabis was commonly recommended for patients undergoing chemotherapy, particularly to alleviate nausea and improve appetite. It was also prescribed for those suffering from chronic fatigue and similar conditions.
Dr. Nene acknowledged the concerns surrounding the misuse of cannabis but underlined the need to distinguish between unregulated recreational use and prescribed medical application. “Cannabis has legitimate therapeutic benefits when used in the right medical context,” he said, emphasising the importance of scientific evaluation over societal fear.
The comments come amid growing global conversations about the decriminalisation and medical use of cannabis. While several countries have moved to relax laws and regulate cannabis for health-related purposes, India continues to classify it under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, barring limited exceptions like bhaang.
