"China has repeatedly clarified its strict position on the tariff issue," Lin said on Wednesday. "This tariff war was initiated by the United States, and China has taken necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, which is completely reasonable and legal."

White House officials clarified on Thursday that the 125 percent tariff the president announced on Wednesday was in addition to a 20 percent added to the country since President Trump returned to office.

The tariffs imposed on China by President Trump in his second term add up to 145%, the White House said on Thursday—not 125%, as it previously indicated. The 125% tariff that President Trump announced on Wednesday afternoon referred only to reciprocal tariff levels,