China will take “comprehensive countermeasures” and fight “at any cost” US President Donald Trump’s directive to authorities to consider tariffs on $100-billion worth of Chinese products, a top official said on Friday.
The US, the world’s largest economy, has a trade deficit of almost $500 billion with China, the world’s second largest economy.
The statement by China came a day after Trump ordered the US Trade Representative (USTR) to consider imposing tariffs on an additional $100 billion in Chinese imports.
China will hit back with comprehensive countermeasures if US continues its unilateral, protectionist practices, a spokesperson with the ministry of commerce said.
“On Sino-US trade, China has made its position very clear. We don’t want a trade war, but we are not afraid of such a war,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by state-run Xinhua news agency.
“Concerning the US statement, we will not only listen to the words but also watch the deeds,” the spokesperson said.
If the US continues its protectionism regardless of opposition from China and the international community, “China will fight to the end at any cost to protect the interests of the country and the people. The conflict was initiated by the United States as provocation,” the official said.
China will continue reforms and opening up, safeguard multilateral trade, and promote trade and investment liberalisation, the spokesperson said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman lu Kang also made similar pledge when asked to comment on Trump’s direction.