The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) Photo: VCG

In responding to a question about the US' call for G7 and NATO countries to impose 50 percent to 100 percent tariffs on China on the grounds that China purchases Russian oil, so as to push China to play a role in ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Monday that China has always opposed the imposition of economic and trade restrictions on China under the pretext of so-called "Russia-related" issues.

The US attempts to coerce relevant parties to impose "secondary tariffs" on China under the pretext of purchasing Russian oil. This is a typical act of unilateral bullying and economic coercion, a serious violation of the consensus reached during the call between the leaders of China and the US, and may have a serious impact on the stability of global trade and industry and supply chains, the spokesperson noted.

"China firmly opposes this," the MOFCOM spokesperson said. "If any party harms China's interests, China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."

The spokesperson further urged the US side to exercise caution in its words and actions, work with China toward the same goal, and continue to properly resolve economic and trade differences through equal dialogue and consultation.

"At the same time, we hope that relevant parties will adhere to principles and work with China to jointly maintain the world trade order and the security and stability of the global production and supply chain," the MOFCOM spokesperson said. 

Also on Monday, when asked to comment on the US' call for the G7 and NATO to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imports over China's purchases of Russian oil to promote China to play its role for ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that it is fully legitimate and lawful for China to carry out normal economic, trade and energy cooperation with all countries, including Russia.

"What the US has done is a typical move of unilateralism, bullying and economic coercion. It seriously disrupts the international trade rules and threatens the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chains. Facts have proven that coercion and pressure win no hearts and minds, still less will they solve anything," Lin said. 

The spokesperson further pointed out that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the crisis. China has, since day one, held an objective and just position and promoted talks for peace, he said. 

"China firmly opposes relevant party directing the issue at China and abusing illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction against China," Lin said. "If China's legitimate rights and interests are harmed, China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests."

Global Times