China has warned that it will retaliate if Donald Trump goes ahead with his plan to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, raising the prospect of a renewed trade war.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce criticised Washington’s approach, accusing the US of trying to reignite commercial tensions between the two nations. The warning came after the US president announced plans for new tariffs as well as tighter controls on software.
“Wilful threats of high tariffs are not the right way to get along with China. China’s position on the trade war is consistent. We do not want it, but we are not afraid of it. If the United States insists on going the wrong way, China will surely take resolute measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests,” a commerce ministry spokesperson said on Sunday, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Trump shocked US financial markets last Friday after accusing China of “hostile” actions, referring to Beijing’s restrictions on the export of rare earth materials vital to American industry.
China hit back, insisting the measures were legitimate.”All applications of compliant export for civil use can get approval, so relevant businesses have no need to worry,” the commerce ministry spokesperson explained.
