The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Saturday night warned against any party reaching deal at expense of China's interests in exchange for so-called tariff reductions and vowed to resolutely defend its rights and interests, in response to a question about the US’ push for deals with countries on tariffs before July 9. 

US officials said that they are stepping up negotiations with relevant economies and hope to reach trade agreements with some countries before the 90-day suspension period of "reciprocal tariffs" ends on July 9. For countries with which no agreement has been reached, tariff rates may be set unilaterally, according to a statement posted on the MOFCOM’s website.

Asked to comment on that, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM noted that since April, the US has imposed the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on its global trading partners. This is a typical example of unilateral bullying that has severely undermined the multilateral trading system and disrupted the normal international trade order. China has always firmly opposed such actions, the spokesperson said.

China welcomes all parties to resolve economic and trade differences with the US through equal consultations. At the same time, China calls on all parties to stand on the side of fairness, justice, and historical correctness, firmly upholding international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system, according to the spokesperson.

“China firmly opposes any deal reached at the expense of its interests for so-called tariff relief. If that happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely counter to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,” the spokesperson said.

Global Times