Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson reiterated on Thursday that tariff wars and trade wars have no winners and protectionism harms the interests of all parties.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday when asked to comment on US media reports regarding a decision by New York-based Court of International Trade, which ruled the Trump administration's tariffs imposed on other countries using International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) illegal and blocked the tariffs from going into effect.

The Trump administration has lodged an appeal against the ruling. The court ruled that the Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs, media reported.

Mao said on the issue of tariffs, China has clarified its position many times.

"Tariff wars and trade wars have no winners. Protectionism harms the interests of all parties and is ultimately unpopular," said Mao.

Global Times