China’s Commerce Department said that easing the Trump administration “cannot bring peace.”
China has warned countries seeking exemption from US President Donald Trump from tariffs not to attack the deal at the expense.
Beijing’s warning comes as dozens of US trade partners are rushing to negotiate relief from Trump’s trade salvo, including sudden “mutual” tariffs that were suspended until July.
“Feeling cannot bring peace, and compromises are not respectful,” a spokesman for China’s Commerce Ministry said Monday.
“Sacrificing the interests of others to obtain a so-called exemption for temporary selfish benefits is similar to negotiating with a tiger. It ultimately leads to the failure of both parties, causing harm to all involved.”
China respects the country’s efforts to resolve trade disputes with the US, but they should “suppose on the right side of history,” the ministry said.
“It is especially important to emphasize that China will firmly oppose the parties who are achieving the transaction at the expense of China’s interests,” the spokesman said.
“If that situation occurs, China will not accept it and will take a decisive mutual action.”
The department issued a statement after last week’s Bloomberg News after reporting that the Trump administration intends to push countries seeking relief from tariffs to reduce trade with China.
US officials cite people familiar with the issue and discuss plans to put pressure on imports from certain countries with close ties to the Asian giants, to stop importing excess goods from China, and to impose obligations on imports from certain countries.
Trump has announced a 90-day suspension on “mutual” tariffs on imports from dozens of countries, but his administration has stepped up the trade war with Beijing by hiking import taxes on China’s exports to 145%.
If Washington continues to escalate its trade SPAT, China, which promised to “fight to the end,” fought back by imposing a 125% obligation on US exports.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Becent said more than 70 countries have reached out to express interest in negotiating trade deals.
Last week, Japanese officials visited Washington to begin talks aimed at securing relief for key exports, including cars and steel, but South Korean officials are scheduled to begin ministerial-level negotiations on Thursday.
Last week, Trump said he hopes to eventually seal a “very good” trade deal with Beijing, despite escalating its trade salvo against China.
In a statement Monday, China’s Commerce Department accused the Trump administration of pretending to be “reciprocity” and engaging in “hegemonic politics” and “unilateral bullying.”
“If international trade returns to ‘jungle laws’, all countries will be victims,” the spokesman said.
“China is willing to strengthen solidarity and coordination with all parties, jointly resist unilateral bullying, protect legitimate rights and interests, and defend international fairness and justice.”