The Ministry of Commerce of China File photo: VCG

The US' repeated imposition of excessively high tariffs on China has degenerated into a "numbers game," which no longer has any practical economic significance. It only further exposes the US' use of tariffs as a tool and weapon for bullying and coercion, turning it into a laughingstock. If the US continues its tariff "numbers game", China will ignore it, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Friday. 

However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe upon China's rights and interests, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight to the end, a spokesperson with the MOFCOM emphasized.

The remarks came when asked to comment on the US latest decision to further raise the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports to the US and that China has taken corresponding countermeasures.

The spokesperson stated that the tariff rate imposed by the US on Chinese products, according to the executive order, is 41 percent, which is 20 percentage points higher than the previously stated rate. 

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns the US' unilateral tariff measures, and has resolutely taken countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests, the spokesperson said.

The US' wanton imposition of unilateral tariffs has seriously violated international trade rules and basic economic laws and common sense, causing severe shocks and turbulence to the world economy, global markets and multilateral trading system. The US should bear full responsibility for this, the spokesperson said. 

We have noticed that under pressure from China and other parties, the US has temporarily suspended the imposition of high reciprocal tariffs on some of its trading partners. This is only a small symbolic step and does not change the nature of the US seeking gains through trade blackmail. China urges the US to take a big step in canceling the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" and completely correct its wrong practices, the spokesperson said. 

On April 9, the Chinese government issued the white paper " China's Position on Some Issues Concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations", reaffirming China's consistent position on China-US economic and trade relations. 

The essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win. There are no winners in a trade war, and there is no way out for protectionism. China is open to consultations with the US, but threats and pressure are not the right way to deal with China, the spokesperson said.  

The US should properly resolve differences with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect. China will unswervingly handle its own affairs well, respond to various uncertainties in the external environment with its own certainty, and continue to be a stabilizing anchor in a turbulent world.


Global Times