China lashed out on Wednesday at renewed threats from the U.S. on trade, warning that it was ready to fight back if Washington was looking for a trade war, days ahead of a planned visit by U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
In an unexpected change in tone, the U.S. said on Tuesday that it still held the threat of imposing tariffs on $50 billion of imports from China unless it addressed the issue of theft of American intellectual property.
Tariff threats
The trade escalation came after the two sides had agreed during talks in Washington this month to find steps to narrow China’s $375 billion trade surplus. Mr. Ross is expected to try to get China to agree to firm numbers to buy more U.S. goods during a June 2-4 visit.
“We urge the United States to keep its promise, and meet China halfway in the spirit of the joint statement,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, adding that China would take “resolute and forceful” measures to protect its interests if the U.S. insists upon acting in an “arbitrary and reckless manner”. “When it comes to international relations, every time a country does an about face and contradicts itself, it’s another blow to, and a squandering of, its reputation,” Ms. Hua said.
China has said it will respond in kind to threats by Mr. Trump to impose tariffs. Several U.S. officials arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for talks, according to an Embassy spokeswoman.
