BEIJING – China warned Wednesday it was “not afraid” to fight a trade war with the United States and reiterated calls for dialogue, after US President Donald Trump said it was up to Beijing to come to the negotiating table.
This year, Trump has imposed an additional 145 percent tariff on many goods from China, stacking atop duties from previous administrations.
This involved 20 percent over fentanyl and other illicit drugs, as well as 125 percent over trade practices.
Trump’s administration has, however, given temporary reprieve for certain tech products — like smartphones and laptops — from the latest levey.
And on Tuesday, the US President said “the ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us”, according to a statement read out by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at a briefing.
Beijing responded Wednesday by saying it was “the US that initiated this tariff war”.
“China’s position has been very clear. There is no winner in a tariff war or a trade war,” Lin said. “China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight”. – AFP
