Beijing will challenge President Trump’s new levies with a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization, said a spokesperson from the Commerce Ministry. The spokesperson called the U.S. actions a “blatant act of unilateralism and trade protectionism.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has promised to implement countermeasures and has accused the United States of violating trade rules.

Trump argues the tariffs are necessary to “protect Americans” and to curb the export of fentanyl. But for our North American neighbors, the move sparked an undeniable sense of betrayal.