China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Friday urged the United States to "pause on the brink of a precipice" and make prudent decisions so as not to put bilateral trade relations in jeopardy.
Calling the recent U.S. restrictive measures on China "a very bad precedent," an MOC spokesperson said it went against "the interests of China, the United States and the world at large."
China will not sit idly watching its legitimate rights and interests being damaged under any circumstance, the spokesperson said.
"We are fully prepared to firmly defend our interests," he said.
Despite strong warnings from business groups and trade experts, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum that could impose tariffs on up to 60 billion U.S. dollars of imports from China and restrictions on Chinese investment in the United States.
The memorandum is based on the so-called Section 301 investigation into alleged Chinese intellectual property and technology transfer practices, launched by the Trump administration in August 2017.
"We firmly oppose it. It is a typical unilateral and protectionist practice," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also reiterated China's stance of not wanting or fearing any trade wars.
"We have confidence and capability in dealing with any challenges," he added.
More:
China mulls tariff increase on U.S. imports
China announced Friday that it is considering higher tariffs for imported U.S. products worth about 3 billion U.S. dollars to balance losses caused by the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from China.
China firmly opposes U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, says Chinese embassy in U.S.
China is strongly disappointed and firmly opposes the unilateral trade protectionist action introduced by the Trump administration against Chinese imports, said the Chinese Embassy in the United States on Thursday.
Trump signs tariffs memorandum against China despite strong warnings
Despite strong warnings from business groups and trade experts, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum that could impose tariffs on up to 60 billion U.S. dollars of imports from China, the latest unilateral move that poses a threat to global trade.
U.S. bullying poses threat to global trade
Despite warnings from business groups and trade experts, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum that could impose tariffs on up to 60 billion U.S. dollars of imports from China, the latest unilateral move that poses a threat to global trade.
U.S. industries stand to lose if Trump imposes tariffs on Chinese imports
Had Levi Strauss & Co., a famous jeanswear manufacturer, not expanded its business into emerging markets including China, Russia and India around 2011, it would have still been enduring a rough time at home in the heavily competitive retail market of casual pants.
China to take necessary measures against U.S. protectionism
China will "take all necessary measures" to defend its rights and interests, an official with the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday, responding to media reports that the United States will soon release results of a Section 301 investigation against China.
Trump's China tariff plan stokes trade worries, triggers market selloff
Despite strong warnings from business groups and trade experts, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a memorandum that could impose tariffs on up to 60 billion U.S. dollars of imports from China, in a unilateral move that triggered market selloff.
U.S. stocks plunge on tariffs for China
U.S. stocks plunged on Thursday to the Trump administration's announcement of new tariffs on Chinese imports, and various business and trade organizations said that while they shared the administration's concern over intellectual property and trade practices in China, the tariffs could be a costly remedy.
U.S. tariffs will 'hurt world trade prospects'
The nation will take active measures to confront challenges from trade investigations launched by the United States and firmly defend its manufacturers' interests, a senior commerce official said in a statement released on Wednesday.
